Jun 17, 2015
Jun 17, 2015
Jun 17, 2015
Jun 17, 2015

Ink Cake with Wang Ziqiao

Ink Cake with Wang Ziqiao

王子喬墨

c. 1600s

attributed to Fang Yulu 方于魯

(Chinese, active c. 1570–1619)

Molded ink and gold pigment

Diameter: 5.4 cm (2 1/8 in.)

Gift of Henry W. Kent 1942.233

Description

Ink cakes were dissolved with water to be used for writing and painting. This ink cake depicts the immortal Wang
Ziqiao riding a crane and playing a sheng (wind instrument with reeds). Legend says that he was a prince who became
a Daoist immortal.

The design was likely borrowed from an illustrated Ming dynasty book on Daoist immortals printed in Anhui, the Liexian Quanzhuan. Ink cakes using Fang Yulu’s name, a famous ink maker in Huizhou, Anhui province, may just as well be products of followers who aspired to profit from his fame. His greatest local rival was his former mentor Cheng Dayue (1541–after 1610).

See also
Department: 
Chinese Art
Type of artwork: 
Miscellaneous
Credit line: 
Gift of Henry W. Kent

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