AN EXCEPTIONAL IMPERIAL BAMBOO-VENEER STATIONERY SET QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

comprising: a rectangular bamboo-veneer inkrest with a rectangular top carved with stylised scrollwork, all supported on an angular scroll base; a bamboo-veneer paperweight carved with a stylised pair of dragon and phoenix, between stylised scrollwork delicately carved on both ends of the weight; a bamboo-veneer circular box and cover, the cover carved with the 'double-happiness' character within a border of stylised 'C'-scrolls, the sides of the box and cover incised with a border of stylised 'C'-scrolls; a rectangular bamboo-veneer inkstone set, the top of the cover carved with a stylised shou character surrounded by five bats with wings outstretched, below a phoenix roundel, all within a stylised border, the sides of the box and cover similarly incised with stylised scrolls; and a bamboo-veneer brushrest carved in the form of a rocky mountain with four peaks, wood stand, all enclosed within a rectangular box and cover, the slightly convex cover delicately decorated in polychrome lacquer and gilt incisions with two camellia blossoms issuing from leafy stems behind jagged rockwork with smaller floral blooms borne on shorter stems in the foreground, all against a diapered ground, the sides bordered with a band enclosing eight stylised lotus blossoms borne on undulating scrolls, the interior lacquered black, the box with a slightly rounded edge bordering the base, the edge with a composite floral scroll, the blooms alternating between lotus and chrysanthemum, all resting on four short bracket feet, the recessed base lacquered black

Hugh Moss Ltd., Hong Kong.

Overall good condition, except minute nicks to the extremities as can be expected.
"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."

Luxuriously housed within an incised and painted lacquer box, this writing box is notable for its fine workmanship and reveals the importance of packaging in the Qing dynasty. Writing boxes of this type were made to store writing tools, such as a wrist rest, brush rest, brush box, seal paste box, and ink block as seen in the present piece, as well as serve as decorative objects. The attractive silk brocade lining of the box also suggests that the interior of the box was intended to be shown when the box was opened.

During the Qianlong emperor’s reign the art of packaging reached new heights, with great attention paid to the packaging of the emperor’s vase collection of artefacts. According to Qing imperial records, the packing of objects was frequently inspected by the Emperor himself. Imperial packaging was often decorated with auspicious motifs such as the lingzhi and bats seen on this box.  Related designs were found on porcelain, particularly doucai dishes of the Yongzheng period.

For a closely related Imperial bamboo veneer stationery set from the Qing Court collection, preserved in the Palace Museum, Beijing, differing to the current example in that the set is displayed on a tray, not within a lacquer box, see Small Refined Articles of the Study. The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Shanghai, 2011, pl. 2. Compare also a bamboo tray with similarly decorated bamboo veneer writing implements, included in Ji Rexin, Ming Qing zhuke yishu [The art of Ming and Qing bamboo carving], Taipei, 1999, p. 263.