Artwork Page for Inkstone in the Shape of a Roof Tile with Seal Script Characters

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Inkstone in the Shape of a Roof Tile with Seal Script Characters

歙石仿漢瓦當硯

1700s–1800s

Workshop of Jian Guzhai 鑑古齋

Culture
China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Medium
She stone
Measurements
Diameter: 14.9 cm (5 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Norman O. Stone and Ella A. Stone Memorial Fund 2023.50
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

The four large seal script characters on the base of this inkstone, 七葉永祥, may be read as "eternal good fortune for seven generations."

Description

This inkstone is particularly noteworthy for its inscriptions in two styles. The base shows four characters in seal script (zhuanshu) expressing auspicious, or favorable wishes, while the characters on the side in standard script (kaishu) record the name of the workshop and that of the collector’s studio.
Inkstones were used to grind solid ink cakes with the addition of water to produce liquid ink for brush painting and calligraphy.
Brown-black base of an inkstone, used to grind solid ink cakes, with a central circle from which extends a "X" shape, a Chinese character in each quadrant (see "Inscription"). The characters are created from even, rounded lines and curve with the circle of the inkstone. The edge slants down to a second layer, a circular rim of the inkstone.

Inkstone in the Shape of a Roof Tile with Seal Script Characters

1700s–1800s

Workshop of Jian Guzhai

China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)

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