143 - Two fine Chinese 'figural' ink cakes, Qing dynasty, 18th/19th century 清十八/十九世紀 人物故事圖硯一組兩件 Comprising two ink cakes: one of tall rectangular-form with slightly indented corners, both sides depicting the 'hundred boys' engagement in playful activities, one side bearing a signature of Chen Junfang Zao, the other side bearing a mark of Wanli Jiachen Nian (1604): the other ink cake of square-form, decorated with scenes of the Eight Immortals on a terrace paying homage to Shoulao, who is descending on the back of a crane, bearing the carver's signature on the right, the reverse side bearing a long inscription in seal script, signed cangpei shi zhuren fang gu (made in the antique style by the Master of Cangpeishi), along with two seals: Hushi and Kaiwen Size:(12.2cm x 8.1cm;8.9cm x 8.9cm) Qty: (2) Provenance: From an important and estemeed European private collection, Germany 來源： 德國重要尊崇歐洲私人珍藏 Notes: Cheng Junfang (1541–ca. 1620) hailed from Shexian, Anhui Province. He was a renowned maker of inksticks and inkstones; his products were even purchased by the imperial court of the Wanli Emperor (reigned 1572–1619). Cheng Junfang is considered one of the great ink designers of ancient China. His designs were published in two woodblock-printed books and served as models for inksticks produced subsequently. In the 47th year of the Qianlong reign (1781), Hu Kaiwen opened an ink shop (studio) in Xiuning and Tunxi, Anhui Province, which he continuously expanded. Later, branches were added in Wuhu, Anqing, Nanjing, and Hankou. His products were renowned throughout the country. He was one of the most famous makers of ink sets. The name of the main shop was Cangpei Shi. 程君房（1541–約1620年），安徽歙縣人，明代名噪一時之製墨及製硯名家。其所製佳墨曾獲萬曆皇帝（1572–1619年在位）宮廷採購選用，被譽為中國古代頂尖墨模設計大師之一。其設計圖樣集結出版為木刻版畫圖譜，成為後世製墨之模範依據。 乾隆四十七年（1781年），胡開文於安徽休寧及屯溪開設墨莊（墨廠），此後事業蒸蒸日上，經營規模不斷擴大，並陸續於蕪湖、安慶、南京及漢口等地開設分號，名揚全國，堪稱清代最為赫拔之集錦墨製作名家。其墨莊總號名曰「蒼珮室」。