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BAMBOO BRUSH POT, HOW ON EARTH DO THEY DATE THESE THINGS?

by Andrew

Hi Pete,
have a carved bamboo brush pot with a reticulated base.
is 135 mm.s high; has an old, infilled repair of a full length vertical split on the back, where there is no carving.
Has old age patina & crazing to what appears to be the original varnish.
No other distinguishing features, seen these things at Christies sold for ridiculously high prices, but why?
No maker's or reign marks on these, how can you tell 50 year old from 400 year old?
Have no idea where or when, mine was made.

Really interested to hear any comments about mine or anything else at all, related to these mysterious
complexities.

your dedicated follower, Andrew.

Comments for BAMBOO BRUSH POT, HOW ON EARTH DO THEY DATE THESE THINGS?

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Mar 31, 2011
 bamboo brush pot
by: Andrew

Hi Pete,
thanks agaain for the valuable tips.
I'll know what to look out for in the future & know doubt save money & misinformation in the process.
thanks again, Andrew.
Mar 30, 2011
 brush pot
by: peter

Hi Andrew,
I agree, the age of bamboo is difficult to tell. I have some pictures of such items in Chinese books, some Qing and Ming dynasty brush pots look not too different from those that were made in the last few decades.
However, there are two things that seem to be related to old age. A fine split of the surface skin, or thin outer layer of the bamboo, in several places.
The other is the grain on the face where it was cut.
With very old bamboo that surface is not smooth anymore, the grain shows more like a surface of miniscule recesses and protuberances.
Pssst! ... that is a secret, not many people seem to know.
(Just joking, but it is true, it took me quite some time to discover that.)

Actually, there are some brush pots that show the ability of the carver, and that may have collecting value even without the mark. And, we should never forget that the mark can be fake on any item.
Some brush pots give the "feeling" that they are older. But, difficult to pinpoint why...

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