DATED TO THE JIA XU YEAR OF THE REIGN OF KANGXI, CORRESPONDING TO 1694, AND OF THE PERIOD

Details

A Rare Dated Blue and White Inkstone
Dated to the jia xu year of the reign of Kangxi, corresponding to 1694, and of the period
One side with recessed center decorated in blue and white with a central medallion inscribed with the date and the name Wu Liu Dao, encircled by two long-tailed phoenixes in flight amidst clouds below an outer border of 'precious objects', the sides painted with dragons racing in pursuit of flaming pearls, the reverse left in the biscuit to function as the recessed grinding surface with a ruyi-shaped well at one end and encircled by a channel below a band of blue and white crosshatching on the rim
6 1/8in. (15.5cm.) diam., box

Provenance

Christie's, Hong Kong, 16-17 January 1989, lot 622.

Lot Essay

The mark reads Da Qing Kangxi jia xu nian zhi, with the additional character, fu (happiness), and a seal and artemsia leaf, as well as the name Wu Lia Tao, most likely the name of the person who commissioned the inkstone.

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