A Breeze Beneath the Sleeve: Armrests and Paperweights from the Yun An Museum Collection

In the world of the Qing scholar’s studio, armrests and paperweights were both useful desk accessories and objects of artistic appreciation. Their forms and decoration reflected the aesthetic interests of their owners and the skill of their makers.

This presentation focuses on Qing armrests and paperweights, exploring their supporting roles in calligraphy and painting and the cultural meanings they carry. Armrests supported the arm during writing, while paperweights held sheets and picture surfaces in place. Their design combined practical considerations with careful workmanship and visual appeal.

Through these objects, visitors are invited to explore the cultivated pleasures of the scholar’s surroundings. Quiet companions to brush and ink, armrests and paperweights reveal an understated elegance behind the arts of writing and painting.