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She Inkstone
When was inkstone used?
Inkstone history goes back to over 5000
years ago. Still no one knows when was the exact time inktones were employed. There are a
lot of archeological evidence that Chinese used inkstone for grinding ink for making
pottery. There was an stone inkstone found in an 5000 years old archeological site that
was in Jiazhai, Shanxi.
Essence of Chinese Art
As one of the essential tool of ink brush painting,
She inkstone is one of the most sought collector's item among the literati and elite for
thousands of years. Old inkstones collected by the Chinese Emperor's court through variers
Chinese dynasties be seen at Taiwan National Palace Museum.
Geological Component
She Inkstone --- Gray, Light Green, or Black rare
slates with markings, stone appear in layers, hard, and easy to chip in carving. Difficult
to find large pieces without flaws, flawless pieces larger than 5" among Dragon's
Tail stones are very very rare.
Markings
Every She inkstone has different markings
resulting from geological chnages through time. Typical markings are Gold Star, Gold Star
Patch, Gold Line, Silver Star, Silver Line, Cherry Blossom Gold Star, Small Water Wave
(crises crosses). More rare ones are Eyebrows, Jade Belt, Jade Belt with Gold Star,
Big Water Wave, Fish Egg, Dates Kernel Eyebrows, Jade Patch, ....
Production Area
The Old She Region including the following district:
Jianxi Province --- Wuyuan, She County, Xiulin County, Jin County, ... in Anhui
province. This region was part of an ocean 13 billion years ago. Through glacier movement
and volcano movement, the mud and other substance formed these rare inkstone slates.
They are buried among huge rocks in small layers. Click image for larger maps.
Why She inkstone is so rarely seen?
Because She region is inland and a very
closed off mountain area.
Before mass transportation was available, though every scholar in China know about She
inkstone, She inkstone was almost not obtainable. So old collections are very very rare.
Most of the pieces are at various museums within Anhui province.
