Carved Zitan wood Chinese brush pot with dragon relief. A symmetric cylindrical hollow vessel, with a tapered base. Organic tree trunk shaped body expertly carved. The exterior deftly carved with scrolling dragon motif. Dragon is the symbol of eternity, Yang, and Yin, male vigor and fertility. Zitan is an extremely dense wood which sinks in water. It is a member of the rosewood family and is botanically classified in the Pterocarpus genus. The lumber is blackish-purple in hue, and its fibers are loaded with deep red pigments which have been used for dye throughout the ages. The fine surface of the wood grain is especially suitable for intricate carvings as can be seen across the circumference of the brush pot.