Scope and Contents

The container is missing its external wrapper, but inside the lid is a paper sheet with a photograph and inscription in Chinese: 諸君光顧請認真像為記 ：盧均記.

Scope and Contents

The wrapper for the tin is all in red. On the top it has the brand name 陸德昌, Chinese characters describing the product, a printed butterfly and the manufacturer’s name. On the side it has the product name in Chinese: 德昌鮮紅印色.

Scope and Contents

The wrapper for this tin is missing, but is probably the same product as NRI2/8/6/3/2.

Scope and Contents From the Sub-Fonds: 李約瑟博士從1937年開始接觸漢字與漢籍，在和中國友朋交往，以及數度訪問中國時，從友人處受贈，或委託北京、杭州等地篆刻店家和機構篆刻了多方漢文印章，包括姓名章、齋號章、閒章和特殊用章，並將之鈐在所藏漢籍上。茲從其所藏漢籍中攝取諸印之像，按各印篆刻的大致年代先後，彙為藏書印譜一編，附於本圖目後。各印章條目下，先列釋文，繼列該印章在李約瑟研究所圖書館的收藏編號、印章材質與印面尺寸，末略述其類屬、相關史事和編年依據。不當之處，尚祈方家指正。From 1937 onwards, as a result of commencing his Chinese studies, his interactions with Chinese friends, and his many visits to China, Joseph Needham accumulated a number of seals that he used to stamp the books he collected. These were carved by artisans in places...

Scope and Contents

The inscription on the lid of the (broken) wooden box reads: 八寳印泥. The ceramic ink holder top has an image of a river, a man on a small boat with a long oar in his hands, a blossom tree, rocks and a bird, and the base is stamped Made in China 中國製造. It was a gift to Lu Gwei-Djen from Hu Daojing 胡道靜 (1913-2003) in Oct. 1984, and includes a handwritten note by him: 魯老八十大慶恭呈朱砂印尼祝壽後學胡道靜拜 1984.10.

Scope and Contents

The ceramic ink bowl has colourful butterflies printed on the lid and base, and a seal on the underside indicating manufacture in the Qianlong era 乾隆. The box is the same fabric and pattern as that holding the ink stick presented to Joseph Needham by Peking University 國立北京大學 in 1946, and so is most likely a gift from the same people. The box also has 乾 qian written in pencil on its base.

Scope and Contents

There is no decoration or marking on the ink bowl. It is a light shade of peach / pink.

Scope and Contents

The ink is manufactured by 天津红光文教用品厂. The character 乾 qian has been written by Joseph Needham on the base of the tin (see also NRI2/8/6/3/6).

Scope and Contents

The bodies of the cranes have been cut from different coloured plastic, with the legs and scenery drawn on the lid. Inside are four compartments: two containing red seal ink, and two containing a small, smooth stamp with a fold-down handle. The exterior of the box is covered in silk with a blossom pattern.