Chinese Antique Ink Stick / Cake Mountain Water Views & Calligraphy

CHINESE ANTIQUE INK STICK / CAKE
MOUNTAIN WATER VIEWS & CALLIGRAPHY

A COLLECTORS TREASURE FOR THE SCHOLARS STUDIO
QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

A Superb set of 8 Ink Sticks
The front displaying different mountain water scenic views .
The reverse with calligraphy inscribed.
The sides signed: Hu Kaiwen.
Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory, Decorative Chinese ink cakes. Huangshan, China circa 1870-1920.

When looking at an ink stick many fail to appreciate the skill of the carvers who carve the original wood moulds.
This is an exceptional set, superbly carved with varying scenes, the reverse with fine calligraphy.

Condition : Ink Stick /cake, no breaks , very good for age. Gilding age faded. Original Box : Age Faded & Stained.

Refer the large images for details & condition.
Please Note... depending on your computer monitor / phone / ipad etc. colour may vary to actual.

Outer Box 23 cm
Width about 12.9 cm
Depth about 2.5 cm

Ink Cake :
Length about 9.7 cm
Width about 2.4 cm
Height about .8 cm

A$450

Soot: also known as lampblack, is created by burning pine resin or oil under a hood.  The soot is carefully collected after the burning process. 
Certain vegetable oils like sesame, rapeseed, or paulownia oil can also be used to produce soot.
Glue Preparation: animal glue, often made from boiling bovine skins, is used as a binder, the glue helps the soot particles adhere to paper and prevents flaking. 
Mixing and Shaping: The soot and glue are mixed in an aqueous solution.
The mixture is repeatedly pounded, steamed, sprinkled with water, and rolled until it reaches a desired consistency.
This paste is then pressed into wooden moulds to form the ink stick shape.