China - Early 20th century
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Selected by Sarah Le Helley
Studied Asian art and art market management; researched art in Taipei; worked in auctions.
Estimate € 170 - € 200
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Original Chinese ink box from the late Qing to early Republic era, signed Hu Kaiwen, comprising eight solid ink sticks themed 'Héroïnes and Poétesses' with individual bas-relief motifs and biographical poems, in very good condition.
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Description from the seller
Fin de Qing / Republic Era Chinese Ink Box Set - Signed Hu Kaiwen (胡開文) - 8 Thematic Pieces: "Heroines and Poetesses"
Exceptional and important prestige thematic set comprising eight solid Chinese ink sticks (Huimo), depicting the "Virtuous Heroines and Famous Chinese Poetesses" from history (including Han Caiping, Zhu Shuzhen, Empress Yang, Xunyang Nü, and the Fragrant Princess Lü Xiang Fei).
Each piece features a complex, unique form (vase, lotus leaf, banana leaf, cloud ruyi, chime, stele) carved in bas-relief on the front face with exquisite accents of color pigments (blue, gold, red). The reverse of each stick bears a finely calligraphed biographical poem in regular script (Kaishu) accompanied by a small red incised seal.
The central rectangular stick bears on its edge the hand-engraved official mark: 「胡開文製」 (Hu Kaiwen Zhi) — “Made by Hu Kaiwen.” Established in 1765 under the Qing dynasty, Hu Kaiwen is one of the four legendary ink-master artisans in Chinese history.
Former European private collection. The set was acquired and carefully preserved in Japan between 1964 and 1984, during the golden age of Sino-Japanese calligraphy collections, guaranteeing its authenticity and excluding it from late 20th-century mass-produced items.
Inks: Exceptional freshness. The inks have remained intact and have never been used with water.
Sound test: The sticks exhibit a crystal-clear resonance when tapped with a nail, confirming the density of the soot and the complete absence of micro-cracks. Olfactory test: A woody, subtle fragrance from the original origin (a blend of precious oils and traditional medicinal plants) emanates upon opening, signature of the high-end binders of the workshop.
The wooden box and its cardboard, covered with its original gray/brown linen-look fabric show surface wear, oxide russeting, and slight tears on the back lining paper, evidence of great age and authenticity “in its original condition.” Original wooden clasps.
Box dimensions: 32 × 21 × 2.2 cm (large presentation format).
Thickness of the sticks (tone bars): 1 cm
Qing Dynasty or early Republic period (circa 1890–1920).
Fin de Qing / Republic Era Chinese Ink Box Set - Signed Hu Kaiwen (胡開文) - 8 Thematic Pieces: "Heroines and Poetesses"
Exceptional and important prestige thematic set comprising eight solid Chinese ink sticks (Huimo), depicting the "Virtuous Heroines and Famous Chinese Poetesses" from history (including Han Caiping, Zhu Shuzhen, Empress Yang, Xunyang Nü, and the Fragrant Princess Lü Xiang Fei).
Each piece features a complex, unique form (vase, lotus leaf, banana leaf, cloud ruyi, chime, stele) carved in bas-relief on the front face with exquisite accents of color pigments (blue, gold, red). The reverse of each stick bears a finely calligraphed biographical poem in regular script (Kaishu) accompanied by a small red incised seal.
The central rectangular stick bears on its edge the hand-engraved official mark: 「胡開文製」 (Hu Kaiwen Zhi) — “Made by Hu Kaiwen.” Established in 1765 under the Qing dynasty, Hu Kaiwen is one of the four legendary ink-master artisans in Chinese history.
Former European private collection. The set was acquired and carefully preserved in Japan between 1964 and 1984, during the golden age of Sino-Japanese calligraphy collections, guaranteeing its authenticity and excluding it from late 20th-century mass-produced items.
Inks: Exceptional freshness. The inks have remained intact and have never been used with water.
Sound test: The sticks exhibit a crystal-clear resonance when tapped with a nail, confirming the density of the soot and the complete absence of micro-cracks. Olfactory test: A woody, subtle fragrance from the original origin (a blend of precious oils and traditional medicinal plants) emanates upon opening, signature of the high-end binders of the workshop.
The wooden box and its cardboard, covered with its original gray/brown linen-look fabric show surface wear, oxide russeting, and slight tears on the back lining paper, evidence of great age and authenticity “in its original condition.” Original wooden clasps.
Box dimensions: 32 × 21 × 2.2 cm (large presentation format).
Thickness of the sticks (tone bars): 1 cm
Qing Dynasty or early Republic period (circa 1890–1920).
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
Early 20th century
Country of Origin
China
Condition
Good condition
Authenticity
Original/official
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