Detail View: National Palace English: Duan stone inkstone with sun and waves design

Work ID: 
M010A0041
Title: 
Duan stone inkstone with sun and waves design
Creation Date: 
Ming Dynasty
Start Year Date: 
A.D.1368
End Year Date: 
A.D.1644
Dynasty: 
45 Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368~1644)
Creation Place: 
China
Measurements: 
Length: 19.7 cm; Width: 13.4 cm; Thickness: 4.9 cm
Material: 
Duan stone
Form: 
Yan (ink-stone)
Type: 
Studio accessories
Repository: 
The National Palace Museum, Taipei
Description: 
The entire inkstone is sculpted to form an image of a blazing sun in the middle of the howling sea. The blazing sun serves as the ink-face, where the ink is ground, and the swirling sea as the inkwell. The inkstone is greenish purple, and its texture appears refined and lustrous. The piece reveals a tinge of natural and elegant aura. The back of the inkstone is also decorated with a rising sun in the midst of a swirling sea. In addition, a bird with three legs is embossed in the middle of the sun to form an impression of showering sunrays. The sculpture reveals prudent and elaborate craftsmanship of the sculptor, yet the inkstone still appears simple and elegant. An inscription can be seen on the flat surface on the right side of the inkstone. The inscription is a poem by Qianlong and is carved in li-shu (square style).
ImageV ID: 
M010A0041AS001
Rights: 
Lee & Lee Communications