Lot Essay
Compare the current ink cake of circular form with two others illustrated in Arts from the Scholar's Studio, The Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong and the Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, 24 October to 13 December 1986, pp.78-79, pl.38 and pp.206-207, pl.186. Both ink cakes are of similar shape, one dated from the Wanli period, the other late Ming dynasty. The first ink cake decorated on both sides with the 'Hundred Boys' auspicious pattern, the second one with moulded scene of figures on one side, the reverse enhanced with a poem.