A GROUP OF FIVE IMPERIAL CINNABAR INKCAKES AND AN INSCRIBED INKCAKE

A GROUP OF FIVE IMPERIAL CINNABAR INKCAKES AND AN INSCRIBED INKCAKE
QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

Comprising five finely carved irregularly rectangular-shaped inkcakes, the first in imitation of a rolled handscroll, bound by a long string, delicately detailed in relief with a floral pattern to represent the brocade cover; the second of crested waves breaking against rockwork within a framed border; the third with the moon and constellations above seawaves; the fourth depicting a mythical single-horned dragon on each of the longitudinal sides; and the fifth with a pair of archaistic phoenix confronting a pearl, all within a fitted brocade box; and a rectangular inkcake, delicately carved with various insects in flight and amidst sprays of flowering plants, highlighted in gilt and silver, inscribed on one side with three characters, Zhongsi yu, 'Grasshopper Wings', picked out in blue pigments, and one short vertical side with Shihaotang zhencang, 'Precious collection of the Hall of Elegant Form', within a recessed rectangular panel, within a fitted wooden box
6 in. (15.2 cm.) longest (6)