Chinese earthenware tree-form brush pot

This orange-brown pottery brush pot, possibly produced at the Yixing Kilns, is hand-sculpted to simulate an old gnarled tree trunk with various crevices, stumps of limbs and peeling bark. It is incised with two Chinese characters, one in archaistic style, the other in cursive script. On the base, there is an impressed Guangxu sealmark. Though unglazed, it has an old patina from use and possibly remnants of colorless lacquer. The interior has somewhat darkened with age and use. The base is carved with three low feet, all unglazed and showing evidence of age and use. Very good overall condition.

Height: 4 ¼ in.; Diameter: 3 ½ in.