THREE INKSTONES Ming Dynasty and later (one dated 1628 and of the period) Comprising: an inkstone of rectangular shape with a raised edge adorned with two confronted dragons chasing a flaming pearl, carved and polished with a sloping recessed well, the underside with a recessed panel carved with a dated inscription, 10.9cm (4 3/4in) long; a inkstone of double-gourd shape with a polished grinding surface sloped at one end to hold water, with box, 12.5cm (4 7/8in) long; and an inkstone of rectangular shape with a raised border adorned to the upper left side with clouds in relief, with a small well at one end for water, with box, 12.2cm (4 3/4in) long. Footnotes: 明及以後（其中一件署崇禎元年，即1628年） 硯台 一組三件 款識： 雙龍戲珠紋硯：此硯乃閒雲館舊物，余將良田十畝易之。崇禎元年姜日廣記於石井山房 雲紋硯：青花紫硯是以永年 Provenance: Ben Janssens Oriental Art, London Bonhams London, 1 November 2024, lot 269 來源： 倫敦古董商 Ben Janssens Oriental Art 倫敦邦瀚斯，2024年11月1日，拍品編號269 The inscription on the inkstone adorned with two dragons in pursuit of a flaming pearl reads: 此硯乃閒雲館舊物，余將良田十畝易之。崇禎元年姜日廣記於石井山房, which could be translated as: This inkstone is an old item from the Xianyun Pavilion. I exchanged ten acres of fertile land for it. Recorded by Jiang Riguang in the first year of the Chongzhen era (1628) at the Shijing Mountain Studio. The 'Xianyun Pavilion' 閒雲館 likely refers to Zhang Wei 張位 (1534-1605), a distinguished minister, scholar, and poet who held the position of Minister of Rites. The signature Jiang Riguang 姜日廣 was a prominent official at the end of the Ming dynasty. He had several key positions, including Minister of War and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. The inscription on the inkstone decorated with clouds reads: 青花紫硯是以永年, which can be translated as: The purple inkstone with bluish floral patterns is intended to endure through the ages. This phrase is believed to originate from the poem titled 'The Song of Yang Sheng's Purple Inkstone with Bluish Floral Patterns' 楊生青花紫石硯歌, written by Li He (790-816) of the Tang dynasty, in praise of the Duan inkstone. 「閒雲館」或指張位（1534-1605），明代名臣、學者、詩人，官至禮部尚書。而「姜日廣」題識者，乃明末重臣，歷任兵部尚書及太子太保等要職。 「青花紫硯是以永年」應參考唐代李賀（790-816）〈楊生青花紫石硯歌〉，乃詠讚端硯之作。 For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing