清　石鼓硯|Pair of ink palettes in the form of the Stone Drum

Art Historical Context

This exquisite pair of inkstones, crafted in slate during China's Qing dynasty (1644–1911) in the 19th century takes the form of the legendary Stone Drums—ancient granite boulders from the Zhou period (c. 9th–8th century BCE) with some of the earliest known examples of Chinese script. Shaped as compact drums, each measuring just 1¼ high and 2½ in diameter, these palettes were designed for the scholar's desk, where they as essential tools for grinding ink sticks with water to produce the rich, fluid ink vital for calligraphy and painting. Inkstones like these embody the refined aesthetic of li...