A zitan ‘lotus’ brush washer (Qing dynasty, 19th century)

The washer intricately carved as a large lotus leaf and blossoms, skilfully hollowed to form a receptacle. The entwined stems of the leaves gradually extend upward toward the everted rim, with a single lotus pod and a crab resting on the side of the vessel.

Description

Dimensions: 9.5cm diameter

Provenance:
A private Hong Kong collection

The washer intricately carved as a large lotus leaf and blossoms, skilfully hollowed to form a receptacle. The entwined stems of the leaves gradually extend upward toward the everted rim, with a single lotus pod and a crab resting on the side of the vessel. The ‘zitan’ wood is smoothly polished, displaying a rich black colour with subtle hints of red.

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