Brush with Carved Designs (brush cap)

A slender cylindrical brush cap carved in relief with a bird perched among overlapping leaves and blossoms. The carving is deep and warm-toned, with a banded rim at the top and a plain ring at the base framing the scene.

Look closer: Small leaves and stems wrap around the lower half, with a second flower cluster partly hidden at the bottom edge.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1573–1619

Medium

carved bamboo

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Size

2432 × 3400 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Cleveland Museum of Art, Anonymous Gift