Porcelain brush-washer with moulded design and inscription, China, Qing dynasty, ca.1680-1780. Moulded porcelain. Length: 14.6 cm From register (in 5.75). Museum number: C.44-1935 © V&A Images. 

Porcelain brush-washer of square shape, decorated under a clear glaze with a moulded design of fantastic animals emerging from waves and clouds, and with a ru-yi pattern on the rim. A long poem is inscribed on the base. 

Inscription on the base. Translation from register: 'The sea horses and ocean rams sport in the waves. In fancy we see the red light rising over Fu-sang. This is no mere vessel for ornament; it is a brush washer. The pure and chaste still abound, and the love of the spirit of antiquity. Imperial poem by Qianlong'. 

This porcelain brush-washer, produced at the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen in southern China, was made in imitation of ding ware, one of the most important types of ceramics dated to the Song dynasty (960-1279).

The long poem inscribed on the base by the emperor Qianlong (1736-95) adds prestige and importance to the object; it praises the value of pure and ancient things, thus making a subtle reference to the white and refined appearance of ding ware.