A bitong is the traditional Chinese cylindrical brush pot used to hold writing brushes on a scholar's desk. These vessels form the primary physical type found among the bamboo, hardwood, and porcelain listings.

How were brush pots used?

Scholar's brush pots stood on the desk to organise writing brushes within the scholar's studio. They functioned as practical desk accessories and as objects for quiet contemplation and appreciation of material and carving.

How do I date a brush pot?

Dating relies on stylistic evidence, including Qing dynasty reign periods, costume details in scholar scenes, and specific glaze types. Comparisons between seventeenth-century Kangxi pieces and late nineteenth-century examples reveal shifts in carving depth and ceramic palettes.

What materials are common?

Listings feature carved bamboo, dense hardwood, and porcelain decorated with cobalt underglaze or coloured enamels. Mineral substances like soapstone and jade also appear in brush washer and desk group formats.