A Set of Eight Ink Cakes of various forms, molded in low relief, one side depicting dragons, mythical beasts, auspicious objects, bell, vase and clouds, seven ink cases with the reverse having gilt decorated inscriptions, the sides carved with a signature Hu Kaiwen (Chinese, Qing Dynasty), all fitted in a brocade box having a label written babao qizhen ("eight precious objects"). Length of longest 5 1/8 inches.