Beijing DaiyueXuan Brushes

Beijing DaiyueXuan Brushes

　　   Over 80 years ago, brush-making craftsman Dai YueXuan worked at a brush shop at the east entrance of Liulichang in Beijing. His skills were exceptional, and the brushes he repaired were of outstanding quality. Writers who used them found them distinctly superior compared to other similar Lake Pen brushes. Later, he began carving his own name on the brush handles before selling them. Over time, the reputation of the brushes from this shop grew significantly, and the name "Dai YueXuan" became well known — many calligraphers and painters kept Dai YueXuan brushes in their brush holders. In 1916, Dai YueXuan and several fellow brush makers officially opened the “Dai YueXuan” brush shop, specializing in purchasing semi-finished Lake Pens from Huzhou, Zhejiang, which they then refined and sold.

　　   Dai YueXuan brushes are renowned for the “Four Virtues” — pointed tip, even edge, round body, and resilient hair. They come in a wide variety, each with its unique characteristics: goat hair brushes (Yang Hao) are soft; wild rabbit hair brushes (Zi Hao) are hard and resilient; yellow weasel hair brushes (Lang Hao) have medium firmness. There are also blended brushes such as Yang Zi Lang Hao made from a mix of sheep, rabbit, and weasel hair, as well as brushes made from mink, chicken feathers, and more, each serving different functions and purposes. Additionally, some premium-grade brushes are crafted using special techniques — such as ebony inlaid brush heads, jade handles or jade tips, and packaged in silk-lined boxes — giving them an antique charm and making them especially precious.