Swing Horsehair Brush by qīqíqǐqì

by qīqíqǐqì

Sculptural horsehair brush with natural urushi lacquered hand-braided cord.

The sap of the lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum) has been used across East Asia for around 8.000 years, to make materials, such as wood, more durable, waterproof and resistant to corrosion.

In Chinese tradition, the horse symbolises strength, vitality, and unceasing energy. Its mane and tail hair have long been regarded as protective, believed to carry energy that wards off misfortune and negativity. For centuries, horsehair brushes or ornaments were hung in doorways or beside cradles as talismans of protection and peace.
These horsehair brushes can be used for gentle dusting, or simply appreciated as objects. Each piece binds horsehair, thread, and lacquer into a unified structure, allowing the brush to stand independently and hold its own form. It fulfils its function while also embodying a quiet, living presence.