White Porcelain Jar Used for Washing a Brush

This is a small bottle used to store ink. Ink is made by rubbing an ink stick on an ink stone, and was kept in this bottle for later use. It was made in various shapes including a circle and a rectangle, but generally shared a narrow mouth to ensure the preservation of the stored ink. They are often made in ceramics, and some of them are accompanied by a small ladle to scoop out the ink. Many white porcelain ink bottles are made in pure white without any decorative paintings or patterns, while some bottles are decorated with blue paintings or lizard patterns. Most are small in size, and function as decoration alongside a water bottle for making ink, with the aim to enhance the elegance of stationery. The height of the body is shorter than the width, and the mouth is narrower than the heel. The color of white porcelain is in harmony with its simple lines.