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ID #SA1163654
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£1,350
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A Rare Chinese Famille Noire Eight Imortals Brush Pot / Bitong - Qing Dynasty
For sale by Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €1,580     $1,715
£1,350
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2025
Browse dealers 217 items
  • About Us
    Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
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A Rare Chinese Famille Noire Eight Imortals Brush Pot / Bitong - Qing Dynasty

19th century
Description

A Rare Chinese Famille Noire EIGHT DAOIST IMORTALS Brush Pot / Bitong Qing Dynasty.

This elegant brush pot, or bitong, is a fine example of Chinese porcelain art. It features a beautifully painted scene of the Eight Immortals. The figures are rendered with fine detail, showcasing the delicate brushwork characteristic of the period.

The pot's most striking feature is its "famille noire" (black family) palette, a highly sought-after style from the Qing

dynasty. The vibrant green, aubergine, and white enamels stand in stark contrast against the lustrous, iridescent black glaze. The base of the pot is unglazed, revealing the fine porcelain body and is unmarked, which is common for many non-imperial wares from this period.

The high quality of the painting and the depth and shimmer of the black glaze strongly suggest a Kangxi period (1662-1722) attribution, a time renowned for its masterful porcelain production. This piece serves as a beautiful representation of the scholar's desk, embodying the refined taste and cultural pursuits of the time.

The pot is of cylindrical form

Period:- Qing Dynasty - 19th Century

Height:- 12.5cm approx

Provenance:- UK Private Collection

Condition:- Good - No chips. cracks or repairs

Physical Dimensions
Height
12.5cm (4.92")
Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Famille Noire Brush Pot to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1163654
Description
A Rare Chinese Famille Noire EIGHT DAOIST IMORTALS Brush Pot / Bitong Qing Dynasty.

This elegant brush pot, or bitong, is a fine example of Chinese porcelain art. It features a beautifully painted scene of the Eight Immortals.

“
The figures are rendered with fine detail, showcasing the delicate brushwork characteristic of the period.
Sandbanks Antiques
fig 1. A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes.
fig 1. A Rare Chinese Famille Noire Eight Imortals Brush Pot / Bitong - Qing Dynasty

The pot's most striking feature is its "famille noire" (black family) palette, a highly sought-after style from the Qing

dynasty. The vibrant green, aubergine, and white enamels stand in stark contrast against the lustrous, iridescent black glaze. The base of the pot is unglazed, revealing the fine porcelain body and is unmarked, which is common for many non-imperial wares from this period.

fig 2. A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes.
fig 2. A Rare Chinese Famille Noire Eight Imortals Brush Pot / Bitong - Qing Dynasty

The high quality of the painting and the depth and shimmer of the black glaze strongly suggest a Kangxi period (1662-1722) attribution, a time renowned for its masterful porcelain production. This piece serves as a beautiful representation of the scholar's desk, embodying the refined taste and cultural pursuits of the time.

The pot is of cylindrical form

Period:- Qing Dynasty - 19th Century

Height:- 12.5cm approx

Provenance:- UK Private Collection

Condition:- Good - No chips. cracks or repairs

Height
12.5cm (4.92")
Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Famille Noire Brush Pot to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1163654
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page

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A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes.
1 / 12
Archive I A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes.

A Rare Chinese Famille Noire Eight Imortals Brush Pot / Bitong - Qing Dynasty

Archive II A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes. View II
Archive III A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes. View III
Archive IV A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes. View IV
Archive V A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes. View V
Archive VI A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes. View VI
Archive VII A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes. View VII
Archive VIII A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes. View VIII
Archive IX A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes. View IX
Archive X A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes. View X
Archive XI A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes. View XI
Archive XII A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques
Telephone 07889 139677
Location
Sandbanks
Poole
Dorset
United Kingdom

By appointment only in Poole or London.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified Since Jan 2025
Items For Sale 217
Items Sold 88
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom, , By appointment only in Poole or London.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified
Jan 2025
For Sale
217
Sold
88
A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes.
A Rare Chinese Famille Noire EIGHT IMORTALS Brush Pot / Bitong - Qing Dynasty
Ref: SA1163654
A cylindrical black porcelain brush pot decorated with hand-painted polychrome figures in green and orange robes.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectBrush Pot
  • Period19th century
  • StyleQing Dynasty
  • MaterialPorcelain, Enamel
  • ColourBlack
  • MotifsCylindrical body, polychrome enamelling, figure motifs, dark ground glaze
  • SizeH 12.5 cm (5 in)

This Chinese brush pot, or bitong, dates from the nineteenth-century Qing dynasty and follows the traditional cylindrical form. Constructed from porcelain with a famille noire palette, it displays a lustrous black glaze contrasted by hand-painted polychrome enamel figures dressed in green, aubergine, and white robes, alongside an unglazed base. Additional visible details include an iridescent glaze sheen, detailed figure motifs, and an unmarked lower section. Standing at 12.5 cm high, the object measures compactly for everyday placement. In a modern interior, this piece suits an office desk or a gentleman's library setting to hold writing implements or function as a decorative desk accessory. The pot stands upright on a flat surface, offering a stable display for everyday use in a study or work area. The clean cylindrical silhouette fits neatly amongst books, paperweights, and stationery containers while maintaining a traditional aesthetic throughout the space.

FAQs

Famille noire is a style of Chinese porcelain characterised by a predominant black enamel background overlaid with polychrome enamels such as green, yellow, and aubergine. Originating during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, this technique required firing a black ground made of cobalt and copper before applying upper translucent glazes.

Traditional Chinese brush pots, or bitong, were crafted from high-fired hard-paste porcelain, bamboo, zitan or huanghuali wood, and carved jade. Porcelain examples were decorated using underglaze cobalt or overglaze vitreous enamels.

Authentic pieces generally display subtle surface iridescent glazes under direct light, fine hand-painted details without transfer printing, and genuine foot rim wear consistent with age. Additionally, genuine famille noire typically shows a greenish clear lead wash over the black enamel ground.

A porcelain brush pot functions well on an executive office desk, an open bookshelf, or a console table paired with contemporary art and books. Its compact shape and detailed surface decoration allow it to act as an accent piece in modern, eclectic, or traditional interiors.

Dust the vessel regularly using a dry, soft microfibre cloth or a soft-bristled brush. Avoid abrasive chemical cleaners, immersion in hot water, or placement near direct heat sources that could compromise older restorations or enamel layers.
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