Page 69 - The Ian and Susan Wilson Collection Schilar's Objects, Christie's, March 2016

Wuyujue ink cake. 1155 LITERATURE
After Chengshi Moyuan,
published in 1605, vol. 4, no. 24. A BRONZE INK REST G.W. Bruce, Elegant Offerings from the Scholars
16TH-17TH CENTURY Studio: the Jiansong Ge Collection, Hong Kong,
2002, no. 12, p. 39-41.
The surface of the ink rest is cast with
a three-character inscription, Wuyujue, Wuyujue, which literally means ‘black jade ring-
enclosed within a plectrum-shaped shaped pendant’, was used to refer to a fne
medallion surrounded by two chilong, all quality ink cake in classic Chinese literature.
raised on four columnar legs. A partially
illegible four-character mark ⎕ ⎕ zao zhi The design of the present ink rest is likely
(made by ⎕ ⎕) is cast on the back. inspired by the Wuyujue ink cake designed and
published by Cheng Junfang, a scholar-turned-
3Ω in. (8.8 cm.) long artist focusing on ink cake manufacturing, who
was active during the Jiajing and Wanli periods
$7,000-9,000 (1522-1620). On the original ink cake design, the
inscription on the front and back read miaopin
PROVENANCE (fne grade) and qiwan (curios).
明十六/十七世紀 銅「烏玉玦」墨床
Grace Wu Bruce, Hong Kong.

EXHIBITED

Hong Kong and London, Grace Wu Bruce,
Elegant Offerings from the Scholars Studio: the
Jiansong Ge Collection, 19 - 30 October 2002
and 7 - 15 November 2002, no.12.

(another view)

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