A fine Chinese cloisonné ink-stick stand

A fine Chinese cloisonné ink-stick stand, the rectangular top decorated with the Eight Horses of Mu Wang, raised as a gilt edged panel on a base with scroll ends decorated with stylized lotus, on a turquoise ground, the borders Royal blue with a gilt scroll, unmarked, Qianlong 1736-95, 10.3cm. Together with a related wooden box cover inscribed bao mo tai (precious ink stand). (2) Provenance: By repute Mr Hetherington, a member of the British diplomatic staff at the Japanese embassy in the 1890s. Cf. China, The Three Emperors 1662-1795, p.227 for a yellow jade example from the Palace Museum, Beijing.