{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O168516"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O168516/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2010EJ2068/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2010EJ2068/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2010EJ2068","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2010EJ2066","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2010EH2045","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2010EH2044","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006BE9720","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006BD7820","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006BD6761","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006BB9691","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AU7419","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O168516/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O168516","accessionNumber":"FE.48-1974","objectType":"Brush and lid","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This lacquer brush was part of a set used for writing, calligraphy and painting. The design combines bamboo, prunus and pine, also known as the ‘Three friends of winter’ (<i>sui han san you</i>), symbols of longevity, integrity and fortitude against adverse conditions; the pine and bamboo are evergreens and the prunus is the first to blossom at the end of winter. \r\n\r\nLiterary skills were essential requirements to pass the civil examination to become an imperial officer, and painting or calligraphy were widely practised by the educated class. As brush, ink, paper and inkstone were indispensable tools for these activities, they were also known as the 'Four treasures of Study' (<i>wen fang si bao</i>), and became symbols of literacy, refinement, and high status.","physicalDescription":"Brush with lid made of red lacquer, carved with a design of bamboo, prunus and pine against a square diaper ground on both parts","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"lacquer","id":"AAT14916"}],"techniques":[{"text":"carving","id":"AAT53149"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Carved red lacquer","categories":[{"text":"Lacquerware","id":"THES49004"}],"styles":[{"text":"Ming","id":"AAT18438"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":["2010EJ2068","2010EJ2066","2010EH2045","2010EH2044","2006BE9720","2006BD7820","2006BD6761","2006BB9691","2006AU7419"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"44","id":"THES49802"},"free":"","case":"CA065","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"44","id":"THES49802"},"free":"","case":"CA065","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Brush","id":""}],[{"text":"Lid","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"China","id":"x29398"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1580-1620","earliest":"1575-01-01","latest":"1620-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Gift of Sir Harry Garner and Lady Garner","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"23","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Brush and lid, carved red lacquer, China, Ming dynasty, ca. 1580-1620","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"The British Museum (ed.) <u>Chinese and Associated Lacquer from the Garner Collection</u>. London: The British Museum, 1973, cat. 83"},{"reference":{"text":"Kerr, Rose (ed.), Chinese Art and Design: the T.T. Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1991.","id":"AUTH404455"},"details":"pp. 126-127","free":""}],"production":"From register: the two parts, although near-contemporary, may have belonged to different brush-holders","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"bamboo","id":"AAT11873"},{"text":"prunus","id":"x42901"},{"text":"pine","id":"AAT12620"},{"text":"鳥 (一般)","id":"CIT290142"},{"text":"松","id":"CIT279019"},{"text":"竹","id":"CIT280244"},{"text":"梅","id":"CIT279231"},{"text":"錦地","id":"CIT283420"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Brush for writing or painting, carved lacquer on wood\r\n1580-1620, Ming dynasty\r\nGarner gift","date":{"text":"June 1991","earliest":"1991-06-01","latest":"1991-06-30"}}],"partNumbers":["FE.48A-1974","FE.48-1974"],"accessionNumberNum":"48","accessionNumberPrefix":"FE","accessionYear":1974,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Lid","Brush"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-06-08","recordCreationDate":"2008-10-02","availableToBook":false}}