Inkstone in imitation a floral mirror from the Tang dynasty, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)-China Archive

Image Number: K1F001547N000000000PBB
Dynasty: Qing dynasty
Category: Studio implements
Function: Stationery
Material: Minerals/Jade Jewelry/Endstone
Description:
In the 14th year of the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1749), the Emperor Qianlong selected ten square ancient inkstones of good quality, trimmed them and gave them names. They were equipped with wooden boxes marked with heavenly stems. This inkstone is Tang Lingjing Inkstone, based on Tang Linghua Mirror. The shape of the diamond shaped mirror originated in the Tang Dynasty, which is different from the eight or six diamond shaped mirror. This inkstone is in the shape of eight rhombus flowers, with three legs at the bottom. The character “B” is carved on the bottom of the wooden box. When the Emperor Qianlong sorted out this inkstone, he carved a ring channel on the edge as an ink pool, carved five baht coins on the back of the inkstone, engraved official script “Tang Yan” on the edge, engraved official script “Lingjing” on the back of the inkstone, and engraved the imperial inscription “Tang Diamond Mirror” and “Qian” and “Long” continuous bead prints. However, the “Western Qing Inkstone Manual” recognized this as She Stone and regarded it as the end stone.