毛笔（Chinese brush，writing brush），是一种源于中国的传统书写工具，也逐渐成为传统绘画工具。毛笔是古代中国人民在生产实践中发明的。
如今用的毛笔，相传是秦朝监督修筑万里长城的将军蒙恬首创。但是毛笔的发明权不能全归功于蒙恬一人。
1954年，从湖南长沙左家公山一座史前古墓里发掘出来了整套的书写工具。这证明，在蒙恬之前就已经有所谓毛笔了。
殷墟研究表明，三千多年前的商朝，中国人主要用毛笔写字。尽管今天我们可以看到的是甲骨文，但有充分的资料表明，商朝的日常书写并非“刀笔文字”，而是与秦汉以后写在竹简或木片上的文字一样。商族人的日常书写是毛笔字。可惜由于书写材料、毛笔字不能长久保存，唯有刻在坚硬卜骨上的甲骨文保存了下来，见证了五百余年商王朝（约公元前1600年—约公元前1046年）的存在   。

深圳万世艺术征集到珍稀藏品，经万世艺术资深专家边复初老师鉴定为【 南 阳 翠 玉 毛 笔  】。此南阳翠玉毛笔高：32cm，重量：144g。表皮色泽呈墨绿色，质地细腻，包浆肥厚 有自然沁色 一看就是个老物件 器形独特 品相非常完整 雕工精良 难得的好东西。深受收藏爱好者的不断追捧与热衷收藏。在中华民族的传统观念中，玉能辟邪、镇宅，玉能消灾，玉能带来福气和吉祥，这种传统观念的形成是历代实践经历、经验的结晶。南阳翠玉毛笔的毛较软，极富弹性，笔画书写时显得较为锋芒。笔尖则写字锋棱易出，较易传神。将笔毫重压后提起，笔毛铺开后易于收拢，揿弯后容易恢复原状。具有非常高的市场价值。
 
Shenzhen wanshi art collection to rare collections, by wanshi art senior experts bian fuchu teacher identified as [south Yang cui yu MAO pen]. The nanyang jade brush is 32cm high and weighs 144g. The skin is dark green in color, fine in texture, with rich patina and natural ooze. It looks like an old object with unique shape, exquisite carving and rare good thing. By the collection of enthusiasts continue to pursue and love to collect. In the traditional concept of the Chinese nation, jade can ward off evil, town house, jade can eliminate disaster, jade can bring blessing and good luck, the formation of this traditional concept is the crystallization of past dynasties practice experience. Nanyang jade brush soft hair, very elastic, brush writing appears more sharp. The tip of the pen is easy to write edge, more easy to convey. Lift the pen after the pen milli heavy pressure, the pen hair spreads after easy to close, after press bends easy to restore the original state. It has very high market value.

深圳万世艺术征集到珍稀藏品，经万世艺术资深专家边复初老师鉴定为【 岫 岩 玉 毛 笔  】。图中所示是岫岩玉毛笔。高：31cm，重量为178kg。岫岩玉以产于辽宁省岫岩满族自治县而得名，为中国历史上的四大名玉之一。岫岩玉毛笔质地朴实、凝重、色泽淡黄偏白，是一种珍贵的璞玉。此岫岩玉毛笔玉质细腻而圆融，玉质温润 ，洁净晶莹饱满， 包浆自然老道， 色泽均匀，颜色呈深绿色、通透少瑕，珍品级。此毛笔的毛摸起来比较刚健，弹性较强，锋锐笔健。书写时能粗能细，顿挫使转，干净利落，比较爽利，便于挥洒，易于起倒得势：墨色的枯润浓淡变化分明，适合书写行草书，具有非常高的市场价值。
 
Shenzhen wanshi art collection collected rare, by wanshi art senior expert bian fuchu teacher identification for 【 xiu yan jade MAO pen 】. Xiuyan jade brush is shown in the picture. Height: 31cm, weight 178kg. Xiuyan jade is one of the four famous jade in Chinese history. Xiuyan jade brush is a kind of precious jade because of its simple, dignified quality and light yellow color. This xiuyan jade brush jade fine and round, jade warm and clean crystal full slurry natural color uniformity, color was dark green, transparent less defect, treasure level. This brush hair feels more robust, strong elasticity, sharp sharp sharp pen. When writing, it can be thick or thin, and turn by filing, which is clean and crisp, easy to spread, easy to rise and fall: the dry color of the ink has distinct changes, suitable for writing cursive script, with very high market value.