Antique

SOLD

This finely hand-painted rectangular porcelain cobalt blue and white box with underglaze designs was used to store ink cakes as part of an assortment of prized items on a Chinese scholar’s desk. The cover is painted with bindweed designs, wave-like curved lines usually indicating water, and a fanciful bat’s face inside a continuous geometric meander or fret pattern. The box sides are covered with bindweed, spirals, and circles, and although circles and round shapes are usually associated with or represent heaven, these seem strictly decorative. There are traces of red, brown, and black ink inside and on the edges of the unglazed portions and rough and stained areas on the unglazed portions of the box and wear consistent with and demonstrating its age and use.