an antique kangxi revival chinese export blue and white porcelain brush pot( bitong) with an historical metal staple repair.
late qing dynasty 1880-1910
150mm high x 70mm diameter.
a captivating and highly collectible late 19th century kangxi revival chinese export porcelain brush pot ( bitong ) traditionally used on a scholars desk to hold calligraphy brushes.
hand thrown on a traditional kick wheel, demonstrated by the chatter marks on the interior and unglazed footrim characteristic of late qing provincial minyao (people's) kilns.
the elegant hand painted pot is decorated in underglaze cobalt blue using the traditional shuaimo technique. featured on either side of the pot is a timeless scholarly composition depicting a hermit or wise scholar seated in contemplation on the ground. behind him a sweeping willow tree, a chinese symbol of humility, the scene framed by rhythmic foliage.
as a reverant tribute to the kangxi era, which was viewed as the " golden age " of chinese blue and white porcelain the base bears a underglaze blue four charecter kangxi nian zhi mark carried out in classic late 19th century outline calligraphic style.
the pot has a very old and at the time costly metal staple repair. the repair gives the brush pot an even more charming appeal, the pot has its own personality, the repair gives us an insight into its history and the importance and value the owner held for it, the beauty is found because of the break and the subsequent repair, not in spite of it. The "scars and stitches" are a testament to the object's history and resilience.
the use of staples to repair broken ceramics originated in china and was later adopted in England in the 18th century for the repair of important and valuable pottery, becoming widely used in the 19th century, the process dying out with the introduction of suitable adhesives.
