COLLECTION NAME:
National Palace English
Record
Work ID:
M010A0031
Title:
Inkstone in the shape of bronze mirror
Creation Date:
Tang Dynasty
Start Year Date:
A.D.618
End Year Date:
A.D.907
Dynasty:
36 Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618~907)
Creation Place:
China
Measurements:
Diameter: 23.6 cm; Thickness: 2.5 cm
Material:
Duan stone
Form:
Yan (ink-stone)
Type:
Studio accessories
Repository:
The National Palace Museum, Taipei
Description:
This inkstone imitates the shape of an octagonal mirror. It is greenish-purple with some visible reddish yellow lines. The edges are already corroded. The ink-face is flat and smooth like a mirror, but some white and shinny spots are visible. The rim traces out the pedals of the mirror, and sinks to form a deep channel where water is stored and used to moisten the brush. On the upper part of the inkstone, there is an embossed ancient silver coin. The back is decorated with carved petal patterns. There are three foot-knobs whose shape imitates a huang, a semicircular jade ornament. On the outer-side of the front knob, there are two li-shu (square style) characters, Tang and Yen. On the inner side, there inscribed another two characters, Ling Jing (octagonal mirror). The center is inscribed with a phrase by Qianlong in kai-shu (regular style), "There is a way in writings, as there is light next to a thing that contains light within itself." Following the poem is one stamp with two separate inscriptions, "Qian" and "Long" (Qianlong). Between two foot-knobs under the inscriptions, there are two embossment and overlapped pre-Chin bronze coins.
ImageV ID:
M010A0031AS001
Rights:
Lee & Lee Communications