Mutual Confidence (or Intelligence) Pavilion 1871 - 1933

This intricate ink cake titled ‘Mutual Confidence Pavilion’ was created by Jian Guzhai. The cake is made from finely ground soot mixed with a binder, and then pressed into a mold. In this case, the mold has been carefully carved to create a landscape scene with a pavilion, trees, and rocks. Ink cakes such as this were essential tools for calligraphy and painting, and were produced in workshops employing many people in skilled and repetitive tasks. The act of grinding ink from the cake was a meditative ritual, connecting the user to a long tradition of scholarship and artistic expression. The ink cake’s material influences its appearance. The smooth, dense surface of the ink cake allows for fine details to be captured in the mold. The black color of the ink creates a sense of depth and contrast in the landscape scene. In understanding the full meaning of an artwork like this, the importance of materials, making, and context are essential, and challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.