Artwork Page for Box with Ink Cakes

Details / Information for Box with Ink Cakes

Box with Ink Cakes

1795–1820

China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Jiaqing reign

(1795-1820)
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Medium
lacquer and silk box
Measurements
Case: 26.4 x 19.1 cm (10 3/8 x 7 1/2 in.); Lid: 26.5 x 19.2 cm (10 7/16 x 7 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Henry W. Kent 1942.206.a
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Ink cakes (also called ink sticks) are dissolved with the addition of water and then ground on the surface of a flat square stone into liquid ink for painting and calligraphy. The precious ink cakes here, however, have never been used.

The inscription on the side of the blue ink cake says that the set was commissioned by Chen Huai, Governor of Jiangxi Province.
A vertical lacquer box features a cream silk lining with a repeating blue hexagonal pattern. Five recessed compartments are cut into the lining to hold ink cakes, revealing soft yellow silk beneath. These include a tall rectangle with a pointed top, a scalloped circle, and three irregular cloudlike shapes. A dark border with fine geometric patterns frames the interior, all set within a thick black frame.

Box with Ink Cakes

1795–1820

China, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Jiaqing reign (1795-1820)

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