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Lot Essay
During the Kangxi period of the Qing dynasty, Songhua stone emerged as a prized material for ink stones. With its natural gradation of beautiful green shades and a velvety smooth texture, it was favoured by Emperor Kangxi, who bestowed these exquisite ink stones upon court officials and foreign envoys. To ensure a steady supply, the imperial workshop diligently produced Songhua ink stones throughout Kangxi's reign, and the tradition of gifting persisted through the reigns of both Emperor Yongzheng and Emperor Qianlong.
The inscription on the back of the present ink stone further acted as gentle reminder to the recipient to preserve his well-being, ensuring his longevity in serving the Emperor. This subtle message underscored the importance of loyalty and longevity in the service of the Emperor was a common feature on imperial Songhua ink stones, carrying deep implications of loyalty and dedication. See another Kangxi period Songhua ink stone with the same inscription but carved with a qilin ink well, is in the collection of Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, The Four Treasures of the Study- Writing Paper and Inkstones, Hong Kong, 2005, p. 109, no. 69 (Fig. 2).
The present Songhua ink stone is further decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay imitating waves in the ink well, which elevates the artistry and complexity of the piece. A similar inlaid ink stone of rectangular form is in the collection of Palace Museum, Beijing, and illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, The Four Treasures of the Study- Writing Paper and Inkstones, Hong Kong, 2005, p. 110, no. 70 (Fig. 3). Another oval-shaped ink stone carved and inlaid with similar motifs, with inscribed with the same inscription, is in the collection of National Palace Museum, Taipei, collection no.: guwen000262N000000000 (Fig. 4).
The enamelled cover of this ink stone is decorated with multicoloured poppies, bamboos and rocks set against a yellow ground, and the sides are further decorated with flower-head shou-character and geometric-patterned roundels. In China, poppies have numerous names, including yumeiren (beautiful woman), and one of traditional names jinbei hua (brocade quilt flower); this is a reference to high officials who would wear brocade. When paired with bamboos and rocks as on the present lot, it conveys the wish of prestige and honour. The initial inspiration of portraying of multicoloured poppies may have come from silk or paper paintings; however, the adaption of this subject on other mediums including painted enamel was innovative and exquisite. An Kangxi period enamelled oval box and cover decorated in similar style but with blossoming peonies, golden pheasants and rocks, was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 2 May 2005, lot 535.
The inscription on the back of the present ink stone further acted as gentle reminder to the recipient to preserve his well-being, ensuring his longevity in serving the Emperor. This subtle message underscored the importance of loyalty and longevity in the service of the Emperor was a common feature on imperial Songhua ink stones, carrying deep implications of loyalty and dedication. See another Kangxi period Songhua ink stone with the same inscription but carved with a qilin ink well, is in the collection of Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, The Four Treasures of the Study- Writing Paper and Inkstones, Hong Kong, 2005, p. 109, no. 69 (Fig. 2).
The present Songhua ink stone is further decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay imitating waves in the ink well, which elevates the artistry and complexity of the piece. A similar inlaid ink stone of rectangular form is in the collection of Palace Museum, Beijing, and illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, The Four Treasures of the Study- Writing Paper and Inkstones, Hong Kong, 2005, p. 110, no. 70 (Fig. 3). Another oval-shaped ink stone carved and inlaid with similar motifs, with inscribed with the same inscription, is in the collection of National Palace Museum, Taipei, collection no.: guwen000262N000000000 (Fig. 4).
The enamelled cover of this ink stone is decorated with multicoloured poppies, bamboos and rocks set against a yellow ground, and the sides are further decorated with flower-head shou-character and geometric-patterned roundels. In China, poppies have numerous names, including yumeiren (beautiful woman), and one of traditional names jinbei hua (brocade quilt flower); this is a reference to high officials who would wear brocade. When paired with bamboos and rocks as on the present lot, it conveys the wish of prestige and honour. The initial inspiration of portraying of multicoloured poppies may have come from silk or paper paintings; however, the adaption of this subject on other mediums including painted enamel was innovative and exquisite. An Kangxi period enamelled oval box and cover decorated in similar style but with blossoming peonies, golden pheasants and rocks, was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 2 May 2005, lot 535.