Ink brushes are used in traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. Together with ink stone, inkstick and Xuan paper, these four writing implements constitute the "Four Treasures of Study".

A highly acclaimed type of ink brush, the Xuan brush is believed to originate in the Qin dynasty (around 200 BC) in Xuanzhou area of ancient China. The hair of the Xuan brush is usually made from the hair of rabbit, weasel or goat, depending on the need of its user, while the handle is typically made of bamboo.

Handles of Xuan ink brush are seen at a local manufacturer in Jingxian County, east China's Anhui Province, June 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Han Xiaoyu)

A worker adjusts hairs of Xuan ink brush at a local manufacturer in Jingxian County, east China's Anhui Province, June 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Han Xiaoyu)

The traditional technique of making the Xuan brush, which involves numerous steps, was inscribed into China's 'National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage' in 2008.

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