Ink stone, Qing dynasty

Carved mineral inking stone "松花砚" (Songhua). Rectangular in shape. The upper face has a concave space and above it a relief with a pair of dragons, around a 'shou' character, and engraved details. At the upper end there is another carved compartment to contain some liquid for mixing. On the reverse is an engraved poem by Jiang Chen Ying (姜宸英).

Provenance: Important collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, from 1980.

Size: 23 x 14.5 cm; Weight: 3033 g