What is a Chinese porcelain brush washer?

A brush washer, or xibi, is a traditional Chinese scholars object designed to hold water for rinsing ink from writing and painting brushes during calligraphy or landscape painting.

How were iron-red porcelain vessels created during the Qing Dynasty?

Iron-red decoration uses an overglaze enamel derived from ferric oxide, which is painted onto a previously glazed and fired porcelain piece before undergoing a second, lower-temperature kiln firing.

How can one identify authentic Guangxu period imperial porcelain?

Authentic Guangxu imperial mark and period pieces feature precise hand-painted reign marks on the base, crisp enamel details such as five-clawed dragons, and refined white porcelain paste characteristic of late nineteenth-century imperial kilns.

How can an antique Chinese scholars object be styled in modern interiors?

These compact porcelain vessels function well as decorative accent pieces on an executive office desk, coffee table, or styled within a bookshelf vignette alongside contemporary or traditional books.

How should one care for and clean antique iron-red porcelain?

Clean gently using lukewarm water and a soft microfibre cloth, avoiding chemical detergents, abrasive sponges, or submersion, as overglaze iron-red enamels and gilding can be vulnerable to rubbing.

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Qing Dynasty Brush Washer

Id #SA1207633

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A Rare and Exceptionally Fine Iron-red 'Imperial Dragon' Brush Washer Guangxu Six-character Mark (1875–1908)

Name: A Rare and Exceptionally Fine Iron-red 'Imperial Dragon' Brush Washer Guangxu Six-character Mark (1875–1908)
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1207633
Availability: SoldOut

19th century

Sold by Sandbanks Antiques

Description

A Rare and Exceptionally Fine Iron-Red 'Imperial Dragon' Brush Washer

Guangxu Six-Character Mark (1875–1908)

Complete with Original Bespoke Silk-Lined Presentation Box

This exquisite compressed globular brush washer represents the pinnacle of late Qing Dynasty technical mastery. Potently symbolic and masterfully potted, the piece features a translucent "eggshell" porcelain body, weighing a remarkable 138 grams. Its delicate nature suggests it was commissioned for a high-ranking official or as a merit gift within the imperial civil service.

The exterior is vibrantly enamelled in iron-red (fanhong) with two powerful five-clawed dragons—the supreme imperial motif—winding through stylized flames in pursuit of the Flaming Pearl of Wisdom.

The Dragons: Executed with superb brush control, the dragons exhibit fine scale-work and expressive, spirited facial features.

The Pearl: The central pearl is highlighted in high-purity gilt enamel, showing a soft, authentic patina consistent with age.

The Body: The porcelain is of superior "watery" bluish-white tone, characteristic of the finest Jingdezhen kilns. It possesses a startling translucency, with the painted decoration clearly visible through the walls when held to the light.

The Mark: The base bears a hand-painted six-character reign mark of the Emperor Guangxu (Da Qing Guangxu Nian Zhi) in iron-red enamel. The calligraphy is fluid and confident, with the pigment successfully "sunken" into the glaze—a key indicator of period authenticity.

Dimensions: Width: 12cm | Height: 5.5cm | Weight: 138g.

The washer is accompanied by its original custom-padded box, covered in period silk brocade with traditional bone-toggle closures. The box shows natural oxidation and wear, providing a vital historical context and confirming the piece has been a prized collection item for over a century.

Excellent condition. The porcelain rings with a high-pitched, clear tone. Minor, age-appropriate wear to the gilt rim and firing pin-pricks to the interior, as expected from hand-crafted late 19th-century wares.

Provenance The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London - Label Number 620

Physical Dimensions

Height

5.5cm (2.17")

Width

12cm (4.72")

Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Guangxu Dragon Brush Washer to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1207633

Description

A Rare and Exceptionally Fine Iron-Red 'Imperial Dragon' Brush Washer

Guangxu Six-Character Mark (1875–1908)

Complete with Original Bespoke Silk-Lined Presentation Box

“

This exquisite compressed globular brush washer represents the pinnacle of late Qing Dynasty technical mastery.

Sandbanks Antiques

Potently symbolic and masterfully potted, the piece features a translucent "eggshell" porcelain body, weighing a remarkable 138 grams. Its delicate nature suggests it was commissioned for a high-ranking official or as a merit gift within the imperial civil service.

fig 1. A low, compressed circular porcelain brush washer decorated with an iron-red five-clawed dragon chasing a gilded flaming pearl against a pale background. — fig 1. A Rare and Exceptionally Fine Iron-red 'Imperial Dragon' Brush Washer Guangxu Six-character Mark (1875–1908)

The exterior is vibrantly enamelled in iron-red (fanhong) with two powerful five-clawed dragons—the supreme imperial motif—winding through stylized flames in pursuit of the Flaming Pearl of Wisdom.

The Dragons: Executed with superb brush control, the dragons exhibit fine scale-work and expressive, spirited facial features.

fig 2. A low, compressed circular porcelain brush washer decorated with an iron-red five-clawed dragon chasing a gilded flaming pearl against a pale background. — fig 2. A Rare and Exceptionally Fine Iron-red 'Imperial Dragon' Brush Washer Guangxu Six-character Mark (1875–1908)

The Pearl: The central pearl is highlighted in high-purity gilt enamel, showing a soft, authentic patina consistent with age.

The Body: The porcelain is of superior "watery" bluish-white tone, characteristic of the finest Jingdezhen kilns. It possesses a startling translucency, with the painted decoration clearly visible through the walls when held to the light.

fig 3. A low, compressed circular porcelain brush washer decorated with an iron-red five-clawed dragon chasing a gilded flaming pearl against a pale background. — fig 3. A Rare and Exceptionally Fine Iron-red 'Imperial Dragon' Brush Washer Guangxu Six-character Mark (1875–1908)

The Mark: The base bears a hand-painted six-character reign mark of the Emperor Guangxu (Da Qing Guangxu Nian Zhi) in iron-red enamel. The calligraphy is fluid and confident, with the pigment successfully "sunken" into the glaze—a key indicator of period authenticity.

fig 4. A low, compressed circular porcelain brush washer decorated with an iron-red five-clawed dragon chasing a gilded flaming pearl against a pale background. — fig 4. A Rare and Exceptionally Fine Iron-red 'Imperial Dragon' Brush Washer Guangxu Six-character Mark (1875–1908)

Dimensions: Width: 12cm | Height: 5.5cm | Weight: 138g.

The washer is accompanied by its original custom-padded box, covered in period silk brocade with traditional bone-toggle closures. The box shows natural oxidation and wear, providing a vital historical context and confirming the piece has been a prized collection item for over a century.

fig 5. A low, compressed circular porcelain brush washer decorated with an iron-red five-clawed dragon chasing a gilded flaming pearl against a pale background. — fig 5. A Rare and Exceptionally Fine Iron-red 'Imperial Dragon' Brush Washer Guangxu Six-character Mark (1875–1908)

Excellent condition. The porcelain rings with a high-pitched, clear tone. Minor, age-appropriate wear to the gilt rim and firing pin-pricks to the interior, as expected from hand-crafted late 19th-century wares.

Provenance The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London - Label Number 620