Title
Songhua inkstone with zitan fitted box
Year/Period
Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)
Region
Jilin, China
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: L16.9 x W12.1 x H2.5 cm
Accession No.
1999-01395
Collection of
This rectangular-shaped celadon green songhua inkstone is fitted with a zitan box, the cover of which is carved with scroll design and open frame. For a long time, this green stone has been used by the Tungusic-speaking natives of northeast China as a sharpening device for knives. It was not until the early 17th century that emperor Kangxi gave instructions for the stone to be made into inkstones, making it unique in the Qing imperial collection of studio stationery. The reverse of the stone is inscribed with the Emperor’s elegant kai-script calligraphy of an eight-character proverb – yijing weiyong, shiyi yongnian (‘quiet is the quality leading to strength and eternity’) which appears on many of his collection of Songhua inkstones.
