Mystery Objects | Chinese Brush Painters Society

Our recent Newsletters have featured mystery objects associated with Chinese art and culture. Check out the CBPS Newsletters for the secrets!

Mystery Object 8, October 2025

Bought at an online auction. It is 5.5” (14 cm) tall, 4” (10 cm) in diameter and made of bone, beautifully inscribed with the 8 Immortals and elaborate brass fittings. It has 2 handles. There is an inner container similarly made from bone and brass with 2 handles and this is 3.5” (9.5 cm) tall and 2” (5cm) in diameter again finely carved with dragons. There is also a separate piece that looks like a spout but doesn’t seem to fit. It appears that a lid is missing. There are inscribed characters on the base but they do not look Chinese so could it be Korean? What is it? How does it function? Does anyone know anything about such an object?

Mystery Object 7, July 2025