Wang Youdun (1692 - 1758) Ink box

Inked mineral stone "松花砚" (Songhua) carved and polychrome. The lid has a scene depicted, in low relief and painted, of a cow herder. The landscape is lush with lots of vegetation and a lake in the background. The shape of the outer box is circular and encloses an inking stone with a poem, signed "汪由敦" (wāngyóudūn) and stamped on the reverse. Wang Youdun (1692 - 1758) was a minister of the Qing dynasty. In very good condition, with wear.

The material for making Songhua stones is mined from Changbai Mountain in the Jilin area. Its use is mainly to elaborate this precious writing utensil. The Ming and Qing emperors loved them as an imperial treasure for their characteristics, texture, color, long life and fineness. The Kangxi emperor called them "imperial inking stone".

Diameter: 10,5 cm; Height: 2 cm; Weight: 2010 g