Lan Shi|The Orchid Room

Jian Guzhai

late 19th–early 20th century · Pine soot and binding medium; inscribed in gilt · Asian Art

This ink tablet is from a sixty-four-tablet set (30.76.216–.279) commissioned by the Jiaqing emperor from the Studio for Appreciating the Antique (Jiangu Zhai) manufactory of the Wang Jinsheng family in Huizhou, Anhui Province. Each ink tablet commemorates a hall or pavilion in one of the imperial gardens. Each site’s name is written in gilt characters on one side; a view of the site is presented on the other. Such inks were purely decorative and not intended for use.

Artist

Jian Guzhai

Date

late 19th–early 20th century

Medium

Pine soot and binding medium; inscribed in gilt

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1930