Handkerchief, c.1850, in silk, of square form, covered in miniature black script of cheat notes in order pass imperial examinations, mounted, 37cm x 38cm Catalogue Note: Pressure to do well in the examinations in Imperial China was extreme-it could ensure benefits not only for the student but the benefits also flowed on to the family if the student did well and obtained rank. It is well documented that cheating took place and that these handkerchiefs were smuggled into the cells where students were locked up for 3 days with only basic essentials of ink, inkstone, brush etc. There is an examination museum in Nanjing, China where a small fragment of one of these handkerchiefs is exhibited. Provenance: Collection of Judith Rutherford