AN INSCRIBED 'DUAN' BELL-SHAPED INKSTONEQing DynastyThe base carved on the exterior in imitation of abianzhong, ancient Chinese musical instrument consisting of bronze bells, the top of the inkstone with a gently recessed grinding surface enclosed by a border interrupted by a six-character signature in sunken relief,Wumen Gu Erniang zhi, 'made by Gu Erniang of the House of Wu'.10.5cm (4 1/8in) longProvenance: 清 端石編鐘形硯連方形硯盒「吳門顧二娘製」陽文款A native of Suzhou, Gu Erniang's maiden name was recorded as Zao, and she was probably active during the late Kangxi to Yongzheng periods. Married into a distinguished family of inkstone carvers, she became a carver of inkstones herself, probably after the death of her husband.Compare to three Duan inkstones signed Gu Erniang in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated inTheplete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, The Four Treasures of the Study – Writing Paper and Inkstones, Hong Kong, 2005, nos.58-60, two of which dated, one to 1719 (no.58), the other to 1721 (no.60).See also a 'duan' oval inkstone with a fitted bamboo-woven box and cover dated to the Kangxi period, signed, Gu Erniang, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 November 2020, lot 2839.顧二娘，吳門（今江蘇蘇州）人，姓鄒氏，琢硯名家，約活躍於康熙晚期至雍正年間。她的公公為順治年間姑蘇城裡的製硯名家顧德麟。顧德麟將技藝傳給其子顧啟明，惟惜其子早逝，只好由顧二娘繼承重任。可比較北京故宮藏三件顧二娘作及銘款之端硯，見故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集《文房四寶，紙硯》，香港，2005年，圖版58-60號，其中兩件刻有紀年，一為康熙己亥（1719）（圖版58號），另一為辛丑（1721）（圖版60號）。另見香港佳士得售一件清康熙顧二娘製端石簸箕硯連隨形簸箕硯盒，「吳門顧二娘製」款，2020年11月30日，拍品2839。