Yucheng Long (1617 - 1684) was a high-ranking official during the Kangxi period known for his calligraphy and for a painting style close to that of Dong Qichang. The decoration of this inkstone would have been appropriate for a scholar/official, as the crane is not only a symbol of longevity, but also the symbol of the first rank civil official. According to T.T. Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 2006, p. 107, when the crane is shown facing the incoming tide it is a rebus for "May you become an official of the first rank and preside at the court", and the addition of the rising sun (which augurs a rise in rank) reinforces the wish for a rise to that of first rank.