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Chinese Faux Stone / Ceramic, Enamel and Gilt Plaque "Eighteen Arhats", in Box, Made by Zi Mo Xuan (the workshop Purple Ink), Qing Dynasty Of rectagular form faux stone / ceramic plaque, depicting in relief traditional Eighteen Arhats with auspicious mascots: dragon, tiger, and deer, hand enameled in polychrome with gilt highlights. Plaque's averse seals from right to left: "The retired emperor's treasure (Note: These characters are commonly found on one of Emperor Qianlong's imperial seals. / Emperor Jiaqing's treasure (Note: Emperor Jiaqing was one of Emperor Qianlong's sons. / Treasure in the Imperial Study Room / Imperial Household Library / Emperor Xuantong's treasure (Note: Emperor Xuantong was the final monarch of the Qing Dynasty. / Emperor Qianlong's treasure / Precious Collection of the Stone Moat / Jian Jing Zhai (Simple and quiet study room) (Note: These characters are found on Gao Shiqi (1645-1704, a Qing Dynasty official)'s seal. / Longevity / Seventy year-old Emperor (Note: most of these characters are commonly found on one of Emperor Qianlong's imperial seals). Plaque's reverse inscriptions from right to left: "Youbo's praise for ink (Note: Youbo (the author's courtesy name) refer's to Cheng Junfang, a Ming Dynasty ink maker). / No matter it is reddish or greenish black, cloud or smoke like, its color and texture are versatile, yet it hides its brilliance and keeps a low profile. Even if nobody understands these virtues, the values of ink just manifest themselves when it is used. / Written by Wei Guangwei from Nanle county (Note:Wei Guangwei (1570-1627), a Ming Dynasty official). and seals: "Ju Mo Tang (Ink Gathering Hall) (Note: Ju Mo Tang was an ink maker established in She County of Southern Zhili, a historical province of the Ming Empire). / Daochong (Wei Guangwei's art name) / Xianbo (Wei Guangwei's courtesy name) / Wei Guangwei's seal. Inscription in relief on the side: "Refined work by Ju Mo Tang (Ink Gathering Hall) (Note: Ju Mo Tang was an ink maker established in She County of Southern Zhili, a historical province of the Ming Empire). Offered in nesting box with hinged cover with paper label with woodblock inscription: "Eighteen Arhats / Made by Zi Mo Xuan (the workshop Purple Ink) (Note: Zi Mo Xuan was an ink maker of the Qing Dynasty) size 22 cm 15 ,2 cm
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