VIETNAM Lot n° 29

Object of a scholar of the emperor KAI DINH, coming from the palace of CUNG AN DINH in HUÉ. Exceptional covered box serving as an inkstone in very pure white carved jade, in the shape of a water lily leaf, the lid surmounted by flowers and water lily leaves, bearing the four-character inscription "treasure of the imperial scholar". The inside of the box has a flat part, called a hill, in the shape of a water lily, with an oblong hollow part for collecting ink. On the reverse side, an inscription in ink on an old label that can be translated as follows: "In the fourth year of KHAI DINH - 1916-1925 - Tuyen Hoaph sold a white jade inkstone for one hundred and twenty silver huans. It was placed in the palace of Cung An Dinh." It is presented with its base in red tinted bone carved with lotus flowers framing clouds. L. : 10,5 cm - W. : 8 cm - H. : 3,3 cm