Artist:
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Shen Châuan-lin
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Title:
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Brushrest
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Date:
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early 18th century
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Medium:
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Carved bamboo root
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Dimensions:
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1 3/16 x 4 3/16 x 1 5/8 in. (3.02 x 10.64 x 4.13 cm)
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Credit Line:
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Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton
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Location:
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Gallery 217
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This brushrest is a recognized masterpiece of Shen Ch'uan-lin, whose square seal is carved into the side of the work. Meticulously fashioned from bamboo root, the piece features a finely detailed blossoming plum branch and a spray of bamboo, two plants that symbolize scholarly virtue. The miniature sculpture can support three brushes simultaneously.
Brushrests allowed painters to set down a wet brush so its bristles would not touch a table or stain paper. Artists made brushrests from a variety of materials, including stone, metal, and ceramics. This refined example, executed in "organic taste," fit harmoniously with the mellow hardwoods and the natural substances found on a scholar's desk.
Artist/Creator(s)
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Name:
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Ch’uan-lin, Shen
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Nationality:
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Chinese
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Life Dates:
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Chinese, active 18th century
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Object Description
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Inscriptions:
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Mark back left lower edge, undeciphered, artist'S mark
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Classification:
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Woodwork
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Physical Description:
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carved bamboo root, prunice and pine (?)
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Creation Place:
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Asia, China, , ,
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Accession #:
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95.88
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Owner:
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The Minneapolis Institute of Arts
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