HOLBEIN FINE ARTISTS' AND DESIGNERS' BRUSHES
About Holbein & Artist Brushes - A pre-eminent maker of artist quality painting brushes and knives. Ancient crafts brought to a fine art by skilled hands using modern materials, technology and the highest standard of quality control. From rare glimpses in recorded history, direct archeological evidence and ancient artistic treasures, we have learned much of the origins of the brush as an artistic tool. From ancient Egypt, we know of the reed fibers that were fashioned for use in wood carved arts and painted limestone. We have unearthed early palettes with wells for the mixing of pigment, water and glue. In Roman times, animal hairs (such as goat) were used to replace the more primitive reed brushes. We also see the first use of quills. In the 12th Century, bristle hair, ox and squirrel were used, and, by the beginning of the 15th Century Renaissance, we learn of the earliest use of sable hair quill brushes and white pig bristle set in wooden handles. Up to the 18th Century, fine brushes were generally set in quills, but the brush heads were round. We have no record of the flat head brushes until the introduction of metal ferrulesin the 19th Century. In the history of Japanese painting, the earliest brushes were introduced from China and Korea over 17 hundred years ago. Bamboo handles and rabbit hair were common from that time to the 19th Century when modern brushes with modern painting techniques came to Japan from Europe. Domestic production commenced in the latter part of the 19th Century and Japan has been a major world supplier of quality brushes since that time. Holbein commenced production of brushes early in the 20th Century, and has brought to it's production standards the same dedication to excellence as is evident in all the materials it produces. A world leader in the production of hog bristle brushes, it utilizes only China's best quality bristle from Chungching. Holbein has brought the same quality standards to the production of superbly balanced synthetic and blended brushes. All bristles, glues, ferrules and handles are subjected to rigorous inspections, and all finishing is done in Japan by qualified journeymen. Holbein recognizes that a brush, like a painting knife, is a highly personal tool for an artist. It is an extension of the Artist's hand. As such, it must be the best it can be or it does not carry the HOLBEIN name.
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