Brush washer in the shape of a peach

Brush washer in the shape of a peach

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This charming brush washer has been lovingly crafted in the form of a peach. It is made from opaque white glass with daubs of red and pink to simulate the skin of a fully ripe fruit. A green branch with pointed leaves extends from its bottom and winds around one side. A small blue bat with curving wings is perched near the mouth of the vessel. Most appealing of all is a clear, bright red drop of glass that highlights the pointed tip of the fruit. The bottom of the vessel bears a four-character inscription is incised into the surface and filled with gold: “Made in the Qianlong reign era.” The inscription makes it likely that this piece was the product of the imperial workshop. Considering the small size and delicate shape, it is more likely a desktop ornament than a practical object.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Brush washer in the shape of a peachBrush washer in the shape of a peachBrush washer in the shape of a peachBrush washer in the shape of a peachBrush washer in the shape of a peach

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.