A BLACK 'DRAGON SEAL' INKCAKE QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of square section in seal form, the slightly domed top finely moulded in low relief with two ferocious five-clawed dragons writhing in and out of dense scrolling clouds, with traces of gilding on the bodies of the dragons, each narrow side further decorated with a pair of stylized confronting kui dragons, the seal-face on the reverse moulded with a four-character inscription in positive seal script reading tianfu yong chang ('Permanently kept in the Imperial Collection')

There are minor nicks along the edges, wear to the gilding, shallow age cracks to the top and the seal face, and a 2mm chip to one of the strokes of the fu character, but the overall condition is still quite good.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present piece is closely related to two other inkcakes attributed to the early to mid 18^th century inkmaker, Wang Weigao; one illustrated in Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Hong Kong, 1986, pl. 99; and the other, from the collection of Mary and George Bloch, offered in these rooms, 23^rd October 2005, lot 132. According to Tsang and Moss, ibid., p. 130, Wang was the second son of the famous early Qing dynasty inkmaker Wang Jinsheng. Imperial records show that in the sixth year of Qianlong's reign (corresponding to 1714), the Qing court was looking for an ink-making instructor from Huizhou, the famous ink production centre. Wang was recommended and took up the position of instructor.

Compare a finely moulded Imperial inkcake dated to 1770, with the design of relief gilt dragons emerging from waves, sold in these rooms 15^th November 1989, lot 545 and later in the collection of Mary and George Bloch; and another inkcake of similar composition included in the exhibition The Life of Emperor Qianlong, Macau Museum of Art, Macau, 2002, cat. no. 70.