A Chinese stained softwood rectangular scholar's box and cover, late Qing dynasty, carved in relief with a uniform design of scrolling tendrils framing shou medallions and characters, the silk lined interior with removable tray fitted with an iron red circular ink block, decorated with four green characters on a gilt band, and a black circular ink block, moulded in relief with lingzhi fungus and incised with gilt characters, flanking a brush rest decorated with scrolls to top and gilt text and seal to underside, above three further ink blocks, length of box approx 35cm.