Page 155 - Sothebys Speelman Gems of Chinese Art

Finely cast and dated to the 60th year of Qianlong Both the present box and inkstick prototype have been made
(corresponding to 1795), this charming gold alloy box to resemble an ornately brocaded slipcase with a fastener
epitomises the extraordinary level of creativity characteristic nonchalantly draped around it. The Qianlong Emperor is
of the late Qianlong period. Modelled in the form of a textile famous for his fascination of objects that simulated other
slipcase, it is inspired by an inkstick by Wang Jie’an of the materials and this practice was a challenge taken up by
same form and decoration, dated to the 30th year of Qianlong craftsmen working in the palace workshops to display the
(corresponding to 1765), held in the Palace Museum, Beijing, great potential of their craft and to please the Emperor. While
published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the porcelain was frequently employed to simulate metal, it is rare
Palace Museum. The Four Treasures of the Study – Inkstick to find gold alloy utilised in imitation of other materials.
and Writing Brushes, Hong Kong, 2005, pl. 88. Wang Jie’an
was one of the four famous inkstick producers, together
with Wang Jinsheng, Cao Sugong and Hu Kaiwen, who later
became known as the Four Great Inkmen.

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