Porcelain Calligraphy Brush Pot - Foo Dog Shelves As they had to withstand

As they had to withstand a lot of punishment in transit

though the name is largely a romantic invention of antique dealers rather than a documented Chinese tradition

many of these boxes were destroyed

The hinged top opens to reveal compartments for storing paan - a traditional preparation made with betel leaf

Porcelain Calligraphy Brush Pot - Foo Dog Shelves As they had to withstandPorcelain Calligraphy Brush pot hand made on the potters wheel in the traditional way. It is then decorated by hand before firing. Porcelain is steeped in centuries of Chinese culture and history. Even though pottery developed in China 15,000 years ago, most experts believe that true porcelain which also originated in China didn't emerge in the region until the Han Dynasty 202 BC to 220 AD.