Inkstone with Dragon Design (Translation)
雙龍戲珠紋端硯 清中期 (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
Along with a writing brush, ink, and paper, an inkstone is one of four essential objects on a scholar’s desk. Inkstones were used for grinding inksticks while adding water to produce a syrupy ink. A carving of a pair of dragons playing with a pearl decorates this stone, which exemplifies Duan stones produced in the southern Chinese mountains of Duanxi, Guandong Province. Known for fineness and density, Duan stones have been offered in tribute to the imperial court since the Song dynasty (960–1279).
Qing dynasty (1644-1911)
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Gift of of John C. Maxwell, Jr. and Adrienne L. Maxwell
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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