KANGXI FOUR-CHARACTER INCISED MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1662-1722)

細節

A VERY RARE IMPERIAL SONGHUA INKSTONE
KANGXI FOUR-CHARACTER INCISED MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1662-1722)
The finely carved pale-green striated stone of rectangular form with a raised lip of conforming shape circumscribing the shallow ink pool, carved in low relief on the interior with a fenghuang in flight, the recessed base inscribed with a Kangxi four-character reign mark in clerical script in a single vertical line
The inkstone 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm.) long, fitted wood box carved with a knotted sash

來源

Sydney L. Moss Ltd., 2003.

拍品專文

Songhua stone is classified as an argillite, and is a member of the sedimentary rock family. It became highly valued during the late 17th century as a direct result of the Kangxi Emperor's fondness for the material. With its unique and attractive green striations and renowned ink-grinding quality the stone became a staple of the Palace carvers. Production of Songhua inkstones continued through the Yongzheng period and well into the Qianlong, although on a smaller scale compared to that achieved during the reign of Kangxi.

For a survey of a portion of the Imperial Collection of Songhua inkstones, see A Special Exhibition of Songhua Inkstone: Comparable to the Best Tuan and She Inkstones, National Palace Museum, Taiwan, 1993, where an inkstone with a similar fenghuang in the inkwell is illustrated p. 94, no. 23. Another related example of similar form bearing a four-character Kangxi mark in a line within a recessed base, but carved with a cluster of clouds in the inkwell, also with a similar fitted wood box carved with a knotted sash is illustrated ibid., p. 111, no. 32.