Chinese Brass Traveling Ink Box for Scholars, Qing
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Antiques:
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Scholar Art:
Pre 1900 item# 872668 (stock# 6B-167)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$200
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The top of this oval brass ink box is extensively engraved and circle punched with a dragon and clouds motif. 19th century, Qing period. Originally there would have been an inkstone fitted into the inside of the cover. The bottom of the box is lined in copper, and it is unmarked.
These tightly-fit boxes were used by scholars when they traveled so they could paint and do calligraphy. Cotton was placed in the bottom of the box and water was dripped into it. This provided the moisture necessary to make ink on the stone when an inkstick was ground onto it. It was also possible to create ink directly on the stone and store it in the bottom of the box. Gentlemen-scholars were known as literati, and items for the scholar’s desk were highly regarded by China’s elite.
CONDITION is excellent. DIMENSIONS: 3 ¼” (8.3 cm) x 2 ½” (6.4 cm) x 1 1/8” (2.9 cm) high.
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Antique Chinese Paktong Handwarmer Qing Dynasty
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Antiques:
Regional Art:
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Chinese:
Scholar Art:
Pre 1900 item# 831817 (stock# 3A-142)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$340
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This attractive Chinese handwarmer in rectangular form with soft faceted edges has been beautifully crafted from the silvery alloy paktong and dates to the mid-19th century. The heavily cast plain surface body has a double-swing handle, and the reticulated cover is punched with tiny circles and stars.
In the winter months, handwarmers would be filled with glowing coals and carried to warm the holder’s icy fingers and toes. A New Year’s tradition had villagers taking coals from the main village fire back to their own homes in handwarmers such as this one to ensure good fortune in the coming year. The intricate and refined beauty of these utilitarian objects also made handwarmers an important accoutrement in the scholar’s study.
The alloy paktong has a fascinating history. Centuries before nickel was isolated in the west, the Chinese had produced an alloy of zinc, copper and nickel which had the lustrous sheen and color tone of silver, was appreciably harder than silver, and did not tarnish in use. Many examples of this alloy have a particularly pleasing color which is silver-bright but possesses what has been termed a “soul of gold.” For additional information about paktong, see our article on the subject in ARTS OF ASIA, Nov/Dec. 1992.
CONDITION is excellent, with normal wear consistent with age and usage. DIMENSIONS: 7” (17.8 cm) x 5 ¼” (13.4 cm) x 4” (10 cm) high to top of lid, 6” (15 cm) high to top of handle.
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Chinese Qing Crystal and Paktong Eyeglasses and Case
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Antiques:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Chinese:
Scholar Art:
Pre 1900 item# 568110 (stock# 9A-4142)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$650 for Glasses & Case
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This very rare pair of Chinese spectacles with shagreen case is one of the more unusual examples of an item for the scholar’s desk. Early 19th century. Worn for centuries by the literati class of Chinese scholars, such spectacles were actually an affectation inasmuch as their powers of magnification were slight and imprecise because the “lenses” were made of natural rock crystal instead of glass. The metal frames were crafted from paktong (“baitong”) or white brass, a metal somewhat similar to German silver. The paktong rivets attaching the nose bridge and earpieces were formed in the auspicious shape of tiny “lingzhi” fungus or “ruyi” clouds, a symbol of longevity to the Chinese. The paktong arms are doubly hinged -- at the usual place next to the lens and then again in the area just in front of the ears – and the rounded terminals of each arm end with reticulated symbols within a circle (one a swastika-type shape, the other a diamond-like shape). The glasses were stored in the white shagreen eyeglass case which accompanies them. Shagreen, also known as sharkskin or stingray, is one of the most durable leathers in the world and is regarded for its unique touch. It was first used in China in the 8th century as an embellishment on weapons.
The alloy paktong has a fascinating history. Centuries before nickel was isolated in the west, the Chinese had produced an alloy of zinc, copper and nickel which had the lustrous sheen and color tone of silver, was appreciably harder than silver, and did not tarnish in use. Paktong was often found as mountings, hinges and handles on the finest Ming and Ching Dynasty furniture and boxes, and many items for the scholar’s desk were crafted of this metal. For additional information about paktong, see our article in ARTS OF ASIA, Nov/Dec. 1992.
In the Ming and Ching dynasties, civic officials were known not as bureaucrats but as literati, and these gentlemen-scholars were among the elite of traditional Chinese society. These eyeglasses are the perfect accoutrement for someone recreating a Chinese scholar’s studio in 18th or 19th century style and are quite rare. Condition of the glasses is excellent. The paktong frame has an aged pewter-like patina; the superficial scratching on the lenses is consistent with age and usage. The shagreen case is in good used condition, with signs of wear primarily along the edges. Dimensions: Each lense of the eyeglasses measures 1 7/8” (4.7cm) in diameter; the face extends 5 ½” (13.7cm) to the outer edges of each of the protruding hinges; the arms are each 5 ½” long (13.7cm). Shagreen case is 6” (15.3 cm) long, 2 ½” (6.5 cm) wide, 1” (2.5 cm) deep.
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Chinese Paktong Traveling Ink Box for Scholars, Qing
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Chinese:
Scholar Art:
Pre 1900 item# 923555 (stock# 3-115)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$175
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The top of this small rectangular paktong (“baitong”) ink box is nicely engraved with a lotus flower blossom and its large leaf, with a small butterfly hovering overhead. 19th century, Qing period. The fitted inkstone inside the cover is original, and there is considerable ink residue in the lower half. The bottom of the box has a copper interior and base.
These tightly-fit boxes were used by scholars when they traveled so they could paint and do calligraphy. Cotton was placed in the bottom of the box and water was dripped into it. This provided the moisture necessary to make ink on the stone when an inkstick was ground onto it. It was also possible to create ink directly on the stone and store it in the bottom of the box. Gentlemen-scholars were known as literati, and items for the scholar’s desk were highly regarded by China’s elite.
The alloy paktong also has a fascinating history. Centuries before nickel was isolated in the west, the Chinese had produced an alloy of zinc, copper and nickel which had the lustrous sheen and color tone of silver, was appreciably harder than silver, and did not tarnish in use. Many examples of this alloy have a particularly pleasing color which is silver bright but possesses what has been termed a “soul of gold.” For additional information about paktong, see our article in ARTS OF ASIA, Nov/Dec. 1992.
CONDITION is excellent, with only normal wear consistent with age and usage. DIMENSIONS: 2 ¼” (5.8 cm) x 1 5/8” (4.2 cm) 1 1/8” (2.9 cm) high.
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Pair of Large 19th Century Soapstone Seals
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Regional Art:
Asian:
Chinese:
Scholar Art:
Pre 1900 item# 78733 (stock# 5-224)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$485 for Pair
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Two large hand-carved Chinese soapstone seals in square form with foo lion and pup finials, bases cut with calligraphy in both “red writing” and “white writing” style. Late 19th century. One seal is carved from a neutral tan to light jade colored soapstone with marbleized brown inclusions. The carved foo lion is turning to face one pup, and there is a ball at its feet. This seal is deeply engraved with six archaic characters, which produces “white writing” when the seal is stamped in red vermilion seal paste. The other seal is carved from a darker shade of tan soapstone with numerous reddish brown inclusions. The foo lion is turned to face one pup, while the second pup climbs upon her back. There is a small ball beneath one pup’s hind legs. This seal has four elongated archaic characters carved in relief, which will produce “red writing” when the seal is stamped. (We have included enlargement photos of both seal’s impressions.) The seal was an integral component of the Chinese scholar’s desk, and seals and seal engraving have occupied an honored place in the Chinese literary and artistic tradition for over one thousand years. A well carved seal distinguished the engraver and the user as learned and aesthetically sensitive individuals. Chinese seal engraving has been widely regarded because of its affinity to the art of calligraphy and out of respect for the written word. Condition is excellent. Overall dimensions: 2 ½” high, 2 1/8” square.
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