Brush Rest in the Form of a Dragon

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

A rare example of 15th century Ming bronze work, this brush rest was cast in the form of a sinuous dragon crouching on its four powerful paws with a “flaming pearl” on its arched back. It is further distinguished by two curved horns and a bifurcated tail that coils and unfurls. Its neck, body, and tail all provide places for resting writing brushes. More than a functional object, this brush rest is an imaginative and auspicious sculpture designed to ornament a scholar’s table.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art