Hu Wenming from Songjiang, Jiangsu province, was one of the most accomplished master metalworkers of the late Ming period, who specialised in the production of gilt metal vessels for the scholar's desk. Four other handwarmers by Hu are illustrated in Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, 'Chinese Metalwork of the Hu Wenming Group', The International Asian Antiques Fair, Hong Kong, 1984, nos 32-35. The first of these, included in the exhibition Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1986, cat. no. 246, was sold in these rooms, 23rd October 2005, lot 84, from the Mary and George Bloch collection.
