This rare green inkstone is notable for its Chinese character detailing, making it an intriguing addition to any collection of Asiatic antiques.
Questions about this piece?
The inkstone is of rectangular form. To the lower end is a circular central well in a square carved border. The well is surrounded by incised Chinese characters and seals, including the signature Wu Wenhua (1521-1598). The stone is dated 'The forty-second year of the Jiajing Period, Ming Dynasty', which corresponds to the year 1563.
Above the well the inscriptions read as an engraved verse from the poem 'Yu Zhu Zi Deng Yan Shan' by Meng Haoran, signed 'Shi You' meaning 'friend of stones'; below the well two seals of 'Wang An' and 'Xiao Shan Ya Wan', with a further mark reading 'Ya Gu Tang'.
The underside of the ink-stone is engraved with a verse from the poem 'Wen Liu Shi Jiu' by Bai Juyi.
Inkstones are used to whet and grind ink, which in China is hardened into inksticks. This involves rubbing the inkstick onto the central well and adding drops of water to the ground pigment, which flows into the carved well surrounding where it dries more slowly.
Reference:
012822
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