DIMENSIONS: First 14.5 cm height 9.8 cm width SECOND 13.7 height 9.7 width The zisha inkstone bears the carving “For Master Duan Fang’s elegant appreciation” on reverse, with square seal Made by Wang Mingrui. Duan Fang (1861–1911), courtesy name Wuqiao, art name Taozhai. High-ranking late Qing official and preeminent epigrapher & collector. He served as Viceroy of Liangjiang. Author of Taozhai Record of Bronze Vessels, one of the greatest antiquity collectors of late Qing. Wang Mingrui, Yixing zisha craftsman active late Qing to early Republic, specialized in zisha scholar inkstones. Provenance: Previously auctioned at Veilinggebouw De Zwaan (Netherlands), lot tag No.3589(2), V113, old European collection. Accompanied by a Duan inkstone. A fine pair of scholar’s desk objects.