Begonia Inkstone

Begonia Inkstone

　　Begonia Inkstone

　　Begonia Inkstone is made from Longchi stone, which comes from the area between Shimen Ridge and Lotus Mountain in the northern suburbs of Jiangle County. According to the re-engraved "Yu Hua Cave Records" from the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, it states: “Longchi stone all comes from Yanwa Gorge. The larger pieces can be used for steles, and the smaller ones can be polished into various shapes.” The craft of making inkstones from Longchi stone has a history of over 400–500 years. Among these, the "Begonia Inkstone" made from the stone sourced from the Begonia Cave in the northern part of the county is considered the finest — its texture is fine and moist, with a compact structure that retains ink well and preserves color without easy wear. Over the years, it has become a renowned local handicraft specialty of Jiangle County. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, inkstone-making techniques have further improved, featuring refined carving and innovative designs. The inkstones and paper produced in Jiangle are both among the most famous “Four Treasures of the Study” in Sanming.