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Circular ink cake with mountains and dragons, inscription Ming Fang Yulu zhi, Chinese, Qing dynasty, late 19th century.

A circular ink cake with a narrow raised lip to both sides. One side is moulded with nine archaic ding shaped bronze vessels interspersed with stylised mountain ranges and divided by flowing tendrils or rivers.

The other side of the ink cake moulded with a writhing dragon with pronounced four claws surrounded by the same design of tendrils, although in this case easier read as flames. The central circular reserve with two character seal, guobao 國寶 “treasure of the nation”.

There are raised moulded inscriptions to opposing edges read as Wanli nian萬曆年 “Wanli year(s)” and Ming Fang Yulu zhi 明方于魯製  “Made by Fang Yulu in the Ming dynasty”.

Probably late Qing dynasty or Republic period.

This design is published by both Fang Yulu (fl. 1570 – 1619) in ‘Fang Shi Mopu’ , published in 1598 and Cheng Dayue (1541 – c.1616) in ‘Cheng Shi Moyuan’ published in 1606. The design published in the Fang Shi Mopu appears to have been the design used, especially considering the inscription, as the Cheng Shi Moyuan design has calligraphy to the verso.

The strange way of writing Wanli nian 萬曆年 and the overall sharpness of the moulding indicate to me that this is a later example.

Published:

Nicholas Grindley, ‘March 2016’, no.24.

Exhibited:

Nicholas Grindley, ‘March 2016’.

Dimensions

diameter 12.5 cm, thickness 2.1 cm

Price on application





Stock number

0515-05

The BADA Standard

  • Since 1918, BADA has been the leading association for the antiques and fine art trade
  • Members are elected for their knowledge, integrity and quality of stock
  • Our clients are protected by BADA’s code of conduct
  • Our dealers’ membership is reviewed and renewed annually
  • Bada.org is a non-profit site: clients deal directly with members and they pay no hidden fees
Click here for more information on the BADA Standard