Shiqian Stone Inkstone

Shiqian Stone Inkstone

　　Shiqian Stone Inkstone, also known as Si Inkstone or Shiqian Inkstone, and referred to as Golden Star Stone Inkstone, is a specialty of Cengong County and was renowned throughout China since ancient times. With a production history of over a thousand years, the inkstone features delicate stone texture and contains golden specks. It is durable and has been praised by scholars: “Its material is unique among waters and stones, nourished by cloud moisture like unpolished jade; it treasures both ink and brush.” Today’s Shiqian inkstones preserve exquisite traditional craftsmanship while integrating contemporary art. Their designs are ingeniously crafted and finely detailed, with complex yet rigorous structures. The inkstones are carved with more than 60 kinds of patterns such as “Two Dragons Fighting for a Treasure,” “A Single Dragon Playing with a Pearl,” “Two Phoenixes Facing the Sun,” “Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Prosperity,” “Mandarin Ducks Playing in Water,” “Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon,” “Magpies Celebrating among Plum Blossoms,” “Pine Trees and White Cranes,” “Squirrels Stealing Grapes,” “Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate,” “Tortoise Inkstone,” “Frog Inkstone,” and “Goldfish Inkstone,” all elegant and classic in style.

　　Especially notable are the animal eyes, flower stamens, precious gems, and celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and stars in the designs—all made from natural golden speckled stone. The finished inkstone has a glossy, mirror-like finish all over, with golden specks sparkling within. When you breathe lightly on the ink reservoir, the "cloud moisture" lingers for a long time, making it truly captivating. Since ancient times, Shiqian Stone Inkstone has been cherished and highly regarded by literati and scholars. It is one of China’s “Eight Famous Inkstones.” The Northern Song Dynasty literary giant Su Dongpo praised it as a “treasured jade,” and the Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi used it as an imperial inkstone. It was also a precious tribute presented to the royal court by local governments through the ages.

　　　　　　Shiqian Stone Inkstone, also known as Si Inkstone or Shiqian Inkstone, and referred to as Golden Star Stone Inkstone, is a specialty of Cengong County and was renowned throughout China since ancient times. With a production history of over a thousand years, the inkstone features delicate stone texture and contains golden specks. It is durable and has been praised by scholars: “Its material is unique among waters and stones, nourished by cloud moisture like unpolished jade; it treasures both ink and brush.” Today’s Shiqian inkstones preserve exquisite traditional craftsmanship while integrating contemporary art. Their designs are ingeniously crafted and finely detailed, with complex yet rigorous structures. The inkstones are carved with more than 60 kinds of patterns such as “Two Dragons Fighting for a Treasure,” “A Single Dragon Playing with a Pearl,” “Two Phoenixes Facing the Sun,” “Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Prosperity,” “Mandarin Ducks Playing in Water,” “Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon,” “Magpies Celebrating among Plum Blossoms,” “Pine Trees and White Cranes,” “Squirrels Stealing Grapes,” “Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate,” “Tortoise Inkstone,” “Frog Inkstone,” and “Goldfish Inkstone,” all elegant and classic in style.

　　Especially notable are the animal eyes, flower stamens, precious gems, and celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and stars in the designs—all made from natural golden speckled stone. The finished inkstone has a glossy, mirror-like finish all over, with golden specks sparkling within. When you breathe lightly on the ink reservoir, the "cloud moisture" lingers for a long time, making it truly captivating. Since ancient times, Shiqian Stone Inkstone has been cherished and highly regarded by literati and scholars. It is one of China’s “Eight Famous Inkstones.” The Northern Song Dynasty literary giant Su Dongpo praised it as a “treasured jade,” and the Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi used it as an imperial inkstone. It was also a precious tribute presented to the royal court by local governments through the ages. When former Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka visited China, he asked Premier Zhou Enlai for a Shiqian Inkstone.