32 | Agate brush washer Qianlong period, 1736 – 1795 Height: 6.6 cm | 2 9/16 in Length: 10.5 cm | 4 1/8 in Click image for full-size version The stone is banded pink over white – the latter worked as a section of pine tree trunk exhibiting the knots that are a feature of pine bark. The pink layer is carved with a pine branch and a bat on one side, and a pine tree with lingzhi growing at its base on the opposite side. The centre of the agate is hollowed out with an irregular sloping mouth to create the brush washer. Fittingly for a scholar’s object, the carving is full of symbolism – the pine does not lose its green needles in the cold season and is, therefore, emblematic of longevity. The lingzhi fungus also evokes ideas of longevity and immortality, whilst the bat – because of the homophone ‘fu’ (bat) and ‘fu’ (happiness) – is further symbolic of happiness.