Lot Essay
(US$3,000-4,000)
Details
A LARGE DUAN INKSTONE AND A FITTED HONGMU BOX
18TH/19TH CENTURY
The elongated inkstone is of an irregular shape, the smooth grinding area has a subtle convex surface and carved at one end in shallow relief with stylised scrolls surrounding a hollowed quatrefoil ink-well, the reverse carved with two circles imitating the pegs of a qin, before a tied ribbon; the fitted hongmu box shaped to accommodate the inkstone and inscribed with three characters, Bao qin yan, 'A precious qin inkstone' (chip to wood cover restuck)
17 in. (43.2 cm.) long
18TH/19TH CENTURY
The elongated inkstone is of an irregular shape, the smooth grinding area has a subtle convex surface and carved at one end in shallow relief with stylised scrolls surrounding a hollowed quatrefoil ink-well, the reverse carved with two circles imitating the pegs of a qin, before a tied ribbon; the fitted hongmu box shaped to accommodate the inkstone and inscribed with three characters, Bao qin yan, 'A precious qin inkstone' (chip to wood cover restuck)
17 in. (43.2 cm.) long
(US$3,000-4,000)