Antique Decorative Cherry Wood Carved Brush - 74cm

Description

English

Exhibition Brush in Carved Cherry Wood & Horsehair (~ 25 years)

 

This brush with a carved cherry wood handle is about 25 years old. Each handle is unique, hand‑shaped to highlight the knots and warm grain of the cherry wood. The wood’s naturally aged patina gives this piece an authentic, refined presence, perfect for enhancing an Asian‑inspired interior. The original tuft, now too fragile, has been replaced with premium horsehair. Dense, slightly supple, and deep brown, this hair harmonizes beautifully with the pale rose tones of the handle. Designed strictly as a decorative object, this brush is no longer suitable for calligraphy or painting but is ideal for display in a showcase or on a collector’s desk.

 

A true testament to artisanal skill, this brush embodies the fusion of Chinese tradition and contemporary design. It will find its place with art lovers and heritage‑object enthusiasts, bringing an elegant Oriental touch and a subtle dialogue between noble materials and museum‑quality functionality.

 

 

I. Origin and Crafting of the Cherry Wood Handle

The choice of cherry wood for the brush handle originates in the ancient temperate forests of Japan and China, where the tree is known for its slow, steady growth. This slow maturation ensures exceptional wood density—crucial for resisting humidity and temperature changes—while offering remarkable stability against mechanical stresses over time.

 

Production begins with a rigorous selection of branches aged 40 to 60 years, harvested through responsible pruning. After precise sawing, each piece is air‑dried for several months in a ventilated environment to reduce internal moisture to below 12 %. This prolonged drying phase prevents later cracking and allows the wood grain to tighten, revealing organic patterns—knots, sinuous veins, and warm color bands—that will be accentuated during carving.

 

The carving stage, done entirely by hand with chisels and gouges, shapes each handle according to the branch’s natural reliefs, creating a subtle balance between smooth forms and textured details. The minor irregularities—far from flaws—are considered the signature of living wood, attesting to the material’s authenticity. Finally, a light steel‑wool sanding refines the surface without altering it, followed by the application of a natural vegetable oil that nourishes the wood and enhances its rosy hue, ensuring a satin patina over the years.

 

This manufacturing chain, combining ancestral expertise and respect for raw materials, gives the handle not only unbeatable robustness but also an aesthetic and sensory dimension: the delicate touch of polished wood and the sight of shimmering veins invite contemplation, making each handle a true work of art rooted in the yakimono (woodworking) tradition and Chinese literati arts.

 

 

II. Tuft Replacement: Horsehair & Maintenance

To preserve its decorative aspect without compromising durability, the original tuft was replaced with premium horsehair. This choice ensures a dense, uniform tuft firmly set into a metal ferrule. To maintain its beauty, gently dust it with a soft brush and avoid moisture.