A Chinese gilt-bronze inkstick box, Qianlong period, cast in the form of a textile slipcase, the drawer depicted as books, with interlacing scrolling leafy stems and stylised straps, with a simulated paperslip bearing an inscription cast in relief that reads 'Qianlong Yimao nian zhi', 7.7cm long清乾隆 銅鎏金鏨卷草紋書函式牙籤盒 《乾隆乙卯年製》款c.f. A comparable inkstick box was offered at Sotheby's Hong Kong, Gems of Chinese Art from the Speelman Collection, 3rd April 2018, lot 3433. Note: Crafted during a period defined by trompe l'oeil works of art, this gilt-bronze inkstick box is modelled in the form of a textile slipcase similar to an inkstick by Wang Jie’an, being of the same form and decoration and dated to the 30th year of Qianlong (corresponding to 1765), held in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in 'The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. The Four Treasures of the Study – Inkstick and Writing Brushes', Hong Kong, 2005, pl. 88. 品相報告 Condition Report: The box bears wear commensurate with age, with some light rubbing to the gilt in places, and old scratches to the surface throughout. The edges bear slight nicks. The bottom of the box with some dings to the metal. The base with surface wear to a few areas. The interior of the box with some green patina.