W130xH160mm, Hong Kong
For the cat lovers, a paper cutout of a cat.
Mounted on a card.
Archives for posts with tag: stationary
W70xD50xH20mm, China
Continuing with the stationary items, this ceramic ware is a brush holder. A holder for the small brush, unlike the previous brush rests where they are lay horizontally, the brush here are inserted into the small holes and left standing. The small container is for keeping a bit of water in case the brush has gotten a bit dried. This kind of brush stand are usually used by the people who are writing all the time, e.g. the doctor, the pawn shop owner, the restaurant manager etc.
W50xL180xH50mm, China
Any guess of what this piece of bamboo is for?
You probably have one of those ergonomic mouse pad with a gel support at the wrist? Well, this is the traditional waist rest for Chinese calligraphy, not only does it support the arm, it also prevents the ink from rubbing onto the sleeves and the perspiration of the hand from making the paper moist. This member of the stationary is called a “Bi Ge”, arm rest. The name “Bi Ge” apparently came from the imperial chamber for secret books, also pronounced as “Bi Ge”.
Now for the second surprise, the material of this Bi Ge is not bamboo but ceramic!
DIA80xH420mm, China
This brush holder is in the form of a tree log, it is made with the stone is found outside of the mineral jade, the so called skin of jade. As the material and colour is completely different from the jade, part of the “jade skin” is sometimes used as an articulation for jade carvings. Here it is used on its own to resemble the bark of a tree.
Click here to see our other brush holders.
W140xD30xH70mm, China
An essential stationary for the scholar, a brush rest for the temporary resting of the brush, as well as the mind. When the job is done, the brush will be hung vertically to let gravity dry up the brush evenly. There are many shapes for the brush rest but the mountain is one of the popular form, they can be made from coral, agate, crystal, jade to more common material such as wood and ceramic.
L170xW120xH20mm, China
The plum blossom has been an object of admiration by the scholars of China. Along with the orchid, chrysanthemum and bamboo, the 4 gentlemen plants have been a constant subject for artistic creation from poem, verses to painting and carvings. Each of the 4 are given an individual personality; the plum blossom – noble arrogance, orchid – eternal elegance, chrysanthemum – cool glamour, bamboo – humble but dignify.
The inkstone being a treasured item of a traditional scholar is a place to be decorated.
Now, nothing to do with noble arrogance but isnt he the sweetest … with the plum blossoms on his head.
DIA50xH70mm, China
This is small vase is a stationary, a water drip for diluting the ink. The 2 other water drips featured in our previous posts ,which both has a mouth piece, those are known as “shui zhu”, one like this is known as a “shui cheng”. Water drip is one of the essential stationary besides the fundamental 4; paper, brush, ink and inkstone. Its small size and its basic utilitarian function enable the craftsman to be more expressive on the material, form and decorations. The water drip is an articulated item for the scholar, an item kept at the desk which would reflect the owner’s passion. I tried hard to think of an equivalent object for today’s scholar and failed, at best an old fountain pen and at worst a desktop pattern. Is it because nowadays we owned too many objects? Or has the digital life leave us little individuality?
This item selected by Furze for the Something Old Something New exhibition and is available at both Mountain Folkcraft and Soil.
L310xW180 (when folded)
W400xH250, China
This is a holder for Buddhism script that is made of bamboo, it can be folded for easy transportation. Since its invention over 1000 year ago, it has also been adopted to be used as a book stand. The angle of the tilt for the book can be adjusted to suit the position of the reader. It was one of the stationary items for the wealthy scholars which is now all to be replaced by the mighty ipad.
W80xL60mm, China
This is a stone carving use for the decoration of a small yan ping (see our other entries; yan ping and again yan ping). Yan Ping is part of the Chinese stationary, it is designed to be used as a screen for shielding the ink well from drying. The carving is a relief of the chrysanthemum flowers from a small piece of stone, the slight polish gave the flower its shading and tones.
DIA70xH150, China
Unlike the pen holder we have nowadays where all the stationary collection is stored, the Chinese pen holder is for the storage of calligraphy brush alone. This penholder is in form of a old man sitting on a piece of rock.
Mountain Folkcraft 