A ‘CHENGNI’ CLAY INKSTONE

MING DYNASTY (1368–1644)

INKSTONE: 15.8CM;
BOX: 19.1CM

The smooth Chengni inkstone of pale russet tone is potted in the form of a Song dynasty duan stone, imitating an inset of rocks framing the central palette face. The inkstone is encased in a dark hardwood covered box with lacquered interior.

Produced in the Shanxi Province since the Tang dynasty (618–907), the Chengni clay material is one of the four types of inkstones viewed in high regard – alongside duan, she, and tao, and is the only one to be made from fine-grained clay.

明代絳州澄泥天然式硯加漆木蓋盒