The inkstone was considered as one of the four treasures on a scholar's desk; the other three items being ink, paper, and the brush. For a pair of white jade brushes see lot 742 in the present sale.

The inkstone requires a smooth flat sloping area for rubbing the inkstick with water, and a well or depressed section for the ink to pool. The more favoured material for inkstone is normally of stone from Duanzhou, Guangdong province, Shexian stone from Anhui province or Chengni clay from Jiangzhou in Shanxi province.

(US$8,000-10,000)