Mountain Form Scholars' Stone Brush Washer

Set beside the four treasures of the scholars' desk, this naturally-formed stone brush washer would have been used by a Qing-dynasty scholar to rinse the ink from his calligraphy brush. Made of jasper, the vessel’s gnarled shape showcases the stone’s speckled appearance. Such novelties inspired scholars who surrounded themselves with objects derived from nature’s most curious forms. A wooden frame custom made to the vessel’s curves elevates this practical object to a work of art.