ink cake

Moulded blue ink cake in the shape of an ancient bronze bell with gilt painted details. Decorated on obverse with two interlocking dragons on top, lotus blossom in middle, below two interlocking dragons against a fret-pattern ground and a band of key fret on bottom. Raised inscriptions of the maker's name on reverse: 'Lueyuan zhuren fa mo', 'Master of Lueyuan executed ink'. The production date is inscribed on side: Made in the 3rd year of the Jiaqing period, equivalent to 1798.

Coloured ink cake was ground with water on an ink stone to produce watercolour for painting.

Collection Information

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