Very fine 19th C. carved Zitan brush pot. The delicate shape is a symmetrical cylinder which is hollow, with a flat base, and banded mouth rim. The exterior intricately carved in deep reliefs five-clawed snarling dragons careening through cumulus ruyi clouds, above thrashing Li-Shui waves. The dragon is the symbol of eternity, Yang, and Yin, male vigor and fertility. The carving and inlaid work was precise, gorgeously proportioned, with exquisite detail. Zitan is an extremely dense wood which sinks in water. It is a member of the rosewood family and is botanically classified in the Pterocarpus genus. The lumber is blackish-purple in hue, and its fibers are loaded with deep red pigments which have been used for dye throughout the ages. The fine surface of the wood grain is especially suitable for intricate carvings as can be seen across the circumference of the brush pot. Measurements: Height: 7 3/4" Diameter: 7 1/8"