On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Brush pot in the shape of a tree trunk
This unusual brush pot bears an inscription identifying it as having once belonged to Qian Shisheng, a minister of rites from the Ming dynasty, who made or commissioned it in 1641 for his residence of retirement. The aged-looking surface exemplifies how literati favored old and curious items during the seventeenth century. The pot would have been a perfect match among other bronze scholar’s objects exhibiting an antiquarian style.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
