Detail View: National Palace English: Inkstone inscribed "Lu-yu". Use attributed to Wen zheng-ming

Work ID: 
M010A0046
Title: 
Inkstone inscribed "Lu-yu". Use attributed to Wen zheng-ming
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: 9.4 cm; Width: 5.4 cm; Height: 2.4 cm
Material: 
Duan stone
Form: 
Yan (ink-stone)
Type: 
Studio accessories
Repository: 
The National Palace Museum, Taipei
Description: 
The inkstone is made of duan stone in chaoshou style. Chaoshou style is a design of tall and thick inkstone with a cave-like opening underneath for heating purposes during the cold season. Therefore one of the walls is missing. The inkstone is greenish purple and gives off a light red shade. Though light in color, the inkstone is glossy. The inkwell has the shape of a half moon; in it, there are three stone pillars. The back descends on one end, causing the inkstone to slant, and there are 28 pillars of different length. Each pillar has a green stone-eye in the center. On the inkstone wall on the right, two zhuan-shu (seal style) characters, luyu (green jade) is carved, and is followed by two endorsements. On the left side, an inscription in kai-shu (regular style) is carved: The stone from the Duan creek is the best of stones. They make lasting, precious, and modest stationery for the study." Following the inscription is a stamp, Mount Heng. The top wall has a poem composed by Qianlong engraved in kai-shu (regular style).
ImageV ID: 
M010A0046AS004
Rights: 
Lee & Lee Communications