GJPaw Auctions is pleased to offer a fine vintage Chinese wood and animal hair Calligraphy Brush. The Chinese historian Yang Xiong wrote, “Writing is pictures of the heart,” a reference to the expressive nature of calligraphy and the amount of practice and skill it takes to master this art form. Of all the tools needed to create calligraphy -  ink, ink stone, paper, and brush (known as the Four Treasures of the Study) -  it is the brush which is the most difficult to master. The brush represents the point where mind, dexterity, and creative ability meet. The traditional brush (bi) can be traced back to the neolithic age - but the earliest intact ink brush was found in 1954, in the tomb of a Chu citizen during the Warring States Period (476 - 221 BC). It was improved by Meng Tian, a general of the Qin Dynasty (221 to 206 BC). Chinese calligraphy brush stalks can be made from either bamboo or other materials such as red sandalwood and glass, or precious materials such as silver and gold. The brush hair is normally from goat, Siberian Weasel, pig, mouse, buffalo, wolf or rabbit. Even human hair is used (the hair from a baby's first hair cut is said to bring good fortune). This beautiful example features a gorgeous "organic taste" bamboo wood stalk and animal hair. The brush measures 23 inches in length by 1.25 inches in diameter (58.4 cm by 3.17 cm), including the specially designed, hand-made, iron, museum display stand. It shows wear consistent with a dating to the mid-20th century, but generally the brush is in very good condition. This is a fine collector’s piece and would make a worthy addition to any collection of Chinese art, scholar’s objects or Asian art in general.

GJPaw Auctions has been in the Art business for over 35 years and is now expanding its operation to eBay. Our goal is to bring the same experience and excitement of collecting that we have been delivering in-person to collectors across the Globe at Primitive in Chicago.  Every object we sell online has been carefully hand-selected with special attention to detail, quality, and significance. We ship worldwide. Add GJPaw to Sellers you Follow and please take a moment to look at our other auction items.

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