Comment 1 for bug 625362

You can already do this with Inkscape:

1) copy object to clipboard
2) group the object (Ctrl+G)
3) paste in place (Crtl+Alt+V)
4) select pasted copy and group > set clip
5) double-click clipped group to enter and draw within the clipped group

Inkscape 0.48 makes this easier by optionally putting a selection that is getting clipped into a new group.

See also:
Bug #394475 “Feature request: clipping mask / paste inside”:
<https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/394475>

«Preferences have been added to allow automatic grouping when setting a Clippath or Mask»
<http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/Release_notes/0.48#Other_features>