A FINE AND RARE IMPERIAL INSCRIBED INKCAKE

Qianlong's Literary Legacy

Details

A FINE AND RARE IMPERIAL INSCRIBED INKCAKE
QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)

Moulded in imitation of a circular inkstone, one flat surface carved in shallow relief with a rabbit looking back at the full moon with a narrow band highlighted in blue pigment, the raised border inscribed and gilded with a short Imperial text, followed by a four-character seal mark, the vertical sides moulded with two characters Yumo, 'Imperial Ink', in-between the characters Fang Song yutu chaoyuan yan', 'Imitating Song (dynasty) inkstone of the rabbit looking at the moon', and of the six-character reign mark, Daqing Qianlong nian zhi, the reverse flat side with a plain medallion within a border
4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm.) diam., box

Lot Essay

Previously sold in these Rooms, 29 April 2002, lot 511.

The inkcake, together with the inkstone, paper and brush, has traditionally been regarded as one of the 'Four Treasures' of a scholar's desk. In this instance, the inkcake is moulded in an inkstone-form; and the gilded poetic inscription compares the moon's brilliant illuminance to that of the inkstone which is brilliantly carved to facilitate the brush.

The four-character seal mark at the end of the inscription reads: Huxin buyuan, which may be translated as 'Understanding is at hand'.

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