Calligraphy and painting

Traditionally in China people wrote and painted with a brush and ink.

Brush pots, brush rests, water containers and paper-weights are some of the things that educated Chinese people had on their writing desks. These are made in glass and date from about 1700-1900.

Calligraphy (the art of writing) and painting were highly valued. The finest calligraphers and painters became famous. Calligraphy was also an essential skill for the scholars (educated men) who worked in the imperial civil service throughout China.
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