A Fine Chinese White Jade Brush

A Fine Chinese White Jade Brush, Qing Dynasty, 18th century, 17cm. The cylindrical handle encircled by a single, sinuous, scaly dragon with a long moustache. Provenance The Hon. Mrs Mary Anna Marten OBE, Crichel House, Dorset. Purchased prior to 1953. Catalogue Note The Chinese writing brush, along with the ink stick, inkstone and paper are considered the Four Treasures of the Scholar's Studio. The brush, bi, is a pun for the adverb certainly or surely. Brush holders are more usually made from bamboo, but porcelain and lacquer examples are also known.