Ω A SMALL CHINESE BAMBOO ‘QIN’ INSCRIBED BOX AND COVER, QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY 清 十八世纪 竹雕琴型香盒 The elegantly carved box in the form of a ‘qin’, the cover inscribed with two eight-character couplets, which read: ‘Form associations and make friends, let this be with the faithful and worthy’‘Shut the gate and dwell in quietude, and enjoy oneself with zither and books’ The bamboo well patinated of warm honey tone, fitted box (3) Length: 10cm The combination of the couplet is attributed to Huang Yi (1744 - 1802) a landscape painter, calligrapher and a major seal carver, one of the Eight Masters of Xiling, a native of Hangzhou. He was also an avid collector of inscribed objects, his collection was recorded in the book Xiao Penglai ge jinshi wenzi, published in 1800. Provenance: Maria Kiang, Chinese Art, Hong Kong. Exhibited Hong Kong, Hong Kong 2018, cat. no. 16. Condition Report The box and cover are in very good condition.