Boxwood brush holder

The boxwood brush holder is carved into three irregular bamboo segments. On the breadth of the middle segment is a branch of plum blossom delicately carved in low relief, and an inscription in regular script that reads “uprightness of the scholar, dignity of the ancients”, under which bears a rectangular seal with the embossed text “Woyun”. A four-character couplet reading “perseverance in snow and frost; jade-like gentleness and vibrancy” is carved on the same segment. The bottom segment, which lies beneath a protruding blossom branch, bears the inscription “Ezhu Banshan” incised in regular script and a raised “Banshan” seal in seal script. To the left of the couplet is another inscription in regular script that reads “strength that withstands the storm, fragrance that reveals purity and integrity”. The fine yet vividly layered outlines of the plum blossoms and leafy branches, as well as the couplets and seals, are all crisply carved in low relief. The pale-yellowish tone of boxwood was dyed brown to render a sense of antiquity and elegance.

There currently exists three pieces bearing the “Banshan” mark, which include a bamboo wrist rest in the collection of the National Palace Museum in Taipei, and a bamboo brush holder housed by the Tianyi Pavilion Museum. A native of Ezhu (present-day Wuhan, Hubei province), Li Banshan is known for his skilful depiction of plum blossoms and bamboo carved in low relief, echoed with self-composed couplets.