AN INSCRIBED SHE INK STONE

QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

Details

AN INSCRIBED SHE INK STONE
QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)
The ink stone is carved in the form of a qin raised on two circular feet. The underside is carved with clouds and a four-character inscription, qi xiang bao zhang, amidst three raised circular bosses which reveal the gold inclusions in the stone. Together with two hand scrolls of colophons commenting on the ink stone by various Japanese literati.
6 in. (15.3 cm.) long, wood cover with spinach-green jade inset finial, Japanese double wood box

Provenance

Utsumi Yuchiki, before 1877.
Fujita Museum, Osaka, acquired prior to 1940.

Exhibited

Osaka Government Building, viewed by the Meiji Emperor on 15 February 1877 (10th year of Meiji).

Lot Essay

Qi xiang bao zhang is a phrase from Shijing (Book of Odes), written in the 7th century BC, and refers to the legend of niulang zhinu (The story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Maid). In this story, the two lovers were reputedly separated by the Milky Way and could only meet once every year on the 7th night of the 7th moon, when magpies dovetailed their wings to form a bridge between them. The couple is traditionally thought to be symbolized by the two constellations Altair and Vega.

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