Chinese scholar's ink blocks, ink stones, and ink cakes are traditional tools used in Chinese calligraphy and painting. They have a long history in Chinese art and culture, dating back to ancient times.

Ink blocks and ink cakes, also known as inksticks, are made from soot and glue, and were originally used in conjunction with ink stones to grind the ink and create a smooth, flowing consistency. They are often decorated with intricate designs or inscriptions, and can be produced in a variety of colours, from black to shades of gray and brown. The earliest ink blocks were produced during the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), and were often made from animal bones or charred plant material. During the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD), ink blocks became more widely used and were often decorated with intricate designs or inscriptions.

Ink stones are small, rectangular stones used to grind more...

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Vintage Chinese ink stone, with carved dragon motif to lid,…

Dragon-carved Chinese Ink Stone (10.5cm diameter)

Vintage Chinese ink stone, with carved dragon motif to lid, diameter 10.5 cm approx

Chinese green stone ink box 5.5 cm wide

Chinese Green Stone Ink Box - 5.5 cm

Chinese green stone ink box 5.5 cm wide

A Chinese porcelain ink stone & cover, and vase in enamel, 20th…

Chinese Porcelain Ink Stone and Enamel Vase Set

A Chinese porcelain ink stone & cover, and vase in enamel, 20th century [2], height 13 cm, length 11 cm

A cased Chinese chop seal set with inkstone, 20th century.

Chinese Chop Seal Set with Inkstone, 20th Century

A cased Chinese chop seal set with inkstone, 20th century.

Canton enamel ink box and cover, decorated with a lady in a…

Canton Enamel Ink Box with Lady in Landscape

Canton enamel ink box and cover, decorated with a lady in a landscape, four-character Qianlong mark but probably later. Diameter 55 cm.

A Chinese ink box with abacus, 26 cm wide, and a pair of floral…

Chinese Ink Box and Decorative Objects

A Chinese ink box with abacus, 26 cm wide, and a pair of floral decorated covered boxes 12 cm diameter and five composition figures approx. 6.5 cm high

Modern boxed Calligraphers ink tablet cover moulded as tree…

Tree Trunk Calligraphy Ink Tablet Cover

Modern boxed Calligraphers ink tablet cover moulded as tree trunk

Two Chinese ink stones, probably duan, both carved with dragons,…

Dragon Carved Duan Ink Stones with Storage Case

Two Chinese ink stones, probably duan, both carved with dragons, one with wooden storage case, 26 cm length

Chinese brass ink stone box Approx 19 by 19 cm

Chinese Brass Ink Stone Box - 19x19cm

Chinese brass ink stone box Approx 19 by 19 cm

Chinese scholar's ink stone in timber box, 10 x 8 cm

Chinese scholar's ink stone in timber box, 10 x 8 cm

A Chinese jade owl and a jade Inkstone, the simply carved owl…

Mottled Jade Owl and Inkstone Set

A Chinese jade owl and a jade Inkstone, the simply carved owl or fantastic beaked creature in richly mottled tones of cream and amber jade flecked with chocolate and green markings, and a circular inkstone with a shallow well and simple relief carving of…

Chinese lidded ink block holder. Frog and lotus blossom…

Chinese Frog and Lotus Ink Holder

Chinese lidded ink block holder. Frog and lotus blossom decoration Character marks to base. Length 22 cm

A Inkstone, with calligraphy: a Poem by Famous Tang Poet Li Bai,…

Li Bai's Inkstone: Tang Poet's Calligraphy, Broken Base

A Inkstone, with calligraphy: a Poem by Famous Tang Poet Li Bai, condition: broken on the base, length 20 cm

A bamboo styled ink stone 16.5 cm

Bamboo Ink Stone: 16.5cm

A bamboo styled ink stone 16.5 cm

A Chinese square ink stone, 15.6 cm x 5.9 cm x 2.2 cm.…

Chinese Ink Stone from Hong Kong Collection

A Chinese square ink stone, 15.6 cm x 5.9 cm x 2.2 cm. Provenance: Private collection NSW, Purchased 20 years ago in Wyndham Street, Hong Kong

Two various Chinese Inkblock holders. One black hardstone,…

Chinese Inkblock Holders with Dragon and Bamboo Decoration

Two various Chinese Inkblock holders. One black hardstone, bamboo decoration; and other with dragon decoration. Length 22 cm. (dragon)

A Chinese boxed Inkstone, the shaped duan stone of typical deep…

Chinese Aubergine Inkstone in Fitted Box

A Chinese boxed Inkstone, the shaped duan stone of typical deep aubergine tones with a shallow well and incised script in a fitted box with incised script and seals to the face. Length 21.5 cm. Width 15.5 cm

Chinese Paktong ink box engraved with the Forbidden City

Forbidden City Engraved Paktong Ink Box

Chinese Paktong ink box engraved with the Forbidden City

A Chinese red ink stone snuff bottle in box, height 8.5 cm

Chinese Red Ink Stone Snuff Bottle in Box

A Chinese red ink stone snuff bottle in box, height 8.5 cm

Early Japanese cloisonne ink well, with pottery liner, 7.5 cm…

Japanese Cloisonne Ink Well with Pottery Liner

Early Japanese cloisonne ink well, with pottery liner, 7.5 cm high approx

Chinese open ink stone with carved figures approx 25 by 17 cm

Carved Chinese Ink Stone with Figures

Chinese open ink stone with carved figures approx 25 by 17 cm

Chinese carved ink stone with figural decoration, in original…

Chinese Figural Carved Ink Stone in Original Box

Chinese carved ink stone with figural decoration, in original box, width 21 cm

A Chinese boxed calligraphy set with two ink tables cast with…

Chinese Gold Calligraphy Set with Ink Tablets

A Chinese boxed calligraphy set with two ink tables cast with gold highlighted calligraphy and lidded ink tablet. Length 15 cm, width 3.4 cm (stamps) length 18.5 cm, width 14 cm (ink tablet)

Japanese gilded wood Inkblock box. Blossom & branch gilded…

Gilded Japanese Inkblock Box with Blossom Decoration

Japanese gilded wood Inkblock box. Blossom & branch gilded decoration. Length 10 cm

A Chinese Tang style lidded seal ink box, squat circular form,…

A Chinese Tang style lidded seal ink box, squat circular form, sancai green and yellow glaze, diameter 10 cm, height 4 cm.

Two Chinese black slate ink stones, 19th,20th century, 11 cm…

Pair of Chinese Black Slate Ink Stones

Two Chinese black slate ink stones, 19th,20th century, 11 cm and 17 cm wide

Chinese inkstone box set, early 20th century, the box 30 cm wide

Early 20th Century Chinese Inkstone Box Set

Chinese inkstone box set, early 20th century, the box 30 cm wide

A well Used Inkstone with wooden cover, sides carved, 19.5 x 12.…

Antique Inkstone with Carved Wooden Cover

A well Used Inkstone with wooden cover, sides carved, 19.5 x 12.5 cm

A Chinese boxed inkstone 21 cm x 21 cm

Chinese Boxed Inkstone: 21cm x 21cm

A Chinese boxed inkstone 21 cm x 21 cm

Chinese porcelain ink box, decorated on the outside with blue…

Blue Crosses Chinese Porcelain Ink Box

Chinese porcelain ink box, decorated on the outside with blue enamel crosses, the underside with a four character Qianlong mark within a turquoise ground, frits to the rim and a crack to the base. Width 6 cm

Good Chinese ink stone in carved timber case, 17.5 x 12.5 cm

Chinese Ink Stone in Carved Case (10 words)

Good Chinese ink stone in carved timber case, 17.5 x 12.5 cm

A Chinese porcelain Inkstone and a brush pot, a shaped white…

Chinese Porcelain Inkstone and Brush Pot Set

A Chinese porcelain Inkstone and a brush pot, a shaped white glazed inkstone decorated with bats in low relief, and a cylindrical brush pot with an underglaze blue wave pattern throughout with a slip applied flame breathing dragon and fish in a white…

Chinese calligraphy inkstone, with dragon chasing pearl to lid.…

Dragon Inkstone with Chasing Pearl Lid

Chinese calligraphy inkstone, with dragon chasing pearl to lid. Length 20 cm

A vintage coloured ivory netsuke of an Elderly artist, an…

Elderly Artist Netsuke with Red Flowers

A vintage coloured ivory netsuke of an Elderly artist, an expressive older man with a paint brush and red ink block, a basket of red flowers at his feet, decorated with green and brown colours upon a 'Tea stained' ground, signed underside, height 5.5 cm

Early Japanese cloisonne ink well with pottery liner, 7.5 cm…

Japanese Cloisonne Inkwell with Pottery Liner

Early Japanese cloisonne ink well with pottery liner, 7.5 cm high approx

Vintage Chinese dragon carved ink stone 24 cm x 15 cm approx

Vintage Chinese Dragon Carved Ink Stone

Vintage Chinese dragon carved ink stone 24 cm x 15 cm approx

A Chinese inkstone in box, length 36 cm

Chinese Inkstone in Box: Length 36 cm

A Chinese inkstone in box, length 36 cm

A Chinese ink stone featuring house and tree scene, length 26 cm

House and Tree Ink Stone

A Chinese ink stone featuring house and tree scene, length 26 cm

A terracotta pottery ink stone, decorated on the top with twin…

Terracotta Ink Stone with Fish and Calligraphy

A terracotta pottery ink stone, decorated on the top with twin fish, the underside with a panel of calligraphy, chip to rim. Diameter 17 cm

Chinese porcelain ink well, of cylindrical form, interior…

Chinese Red Porcelain Inkwell with Calligraphy

Chinese porcelain ink well, of cylindrical form, interior decorated with calligraphy exterior decorated in a monochrome red, height 5 cm diameter 16 cm, a/f (chips to rim)

Early Chinese brass calligraphy set and contents, with side…

Chinese Brass Calligraphy Set with Ink Well

Early Chinese brass calligraphy set and contents, with side opening and ink well to front, width 21 cm approx

Chinese ink stone, decorated with calligraphy, in lidded timber…

Calligraphy-Inspired Ink Stone in Decorative Box

Chinese ink stone, decorated with calligraphy, in lidded timber box 20 cm x 15 cm

Chinese ink stone in carved timber case 21.5 cm x 16 cm, 4.5 cm…

Carved Timber Case with Chinese Ink Stone

Chinese ink stone in carved timber case 21.5 cm x 16 cm, 4.5 cm high

A Chinese Canton enamel lidded ink box. Possibly for snuff,…

Canton Enamel Ink Box with Qianlong Mark

A Chinese Canton enamel lidded ink box. Possibly for snuff, decorated in blue enamels with a lady in a forest. Four-character Qianlong mark but probably later. Diameter 5.5 cm

A Chinese porcelain ink stone, late Qing Dynasty (late 19th…

Wucai porcelain ink stone with bird scenes

A Chinese porcelain ink stone, late Qing Dynasty (late 19th /early 20th century), of squat barrel form, with a shallow depression for mixing ink and moulded brush rests, decorated with patterned reserves in a wucai palette interspersed with bird scenes.…

A Chinese Duan Inkstone, Republic Era, early to mid 20th…

Chinese Duan Inkstone with Fortune Character

A Chinese Duan Inkstone, Republic Era, early to mid 20th century, a circular stone in black purple tones with a channel to the perimeter enclosed in a cushion shaped flat topped box with a patterned border in low relief and a central Chinese character…

A Chinese cased Inkstone with character and gilt seal chop…

Chinese Inkstone with Gilt Seal and Silk Case

A Chinese cased Inkstone with character and gilt seal chop identification. Old silk case. Length 16.5 cm

A Japanese Kyoyaki Inkstone by Miyanaga Tozan I (1868-1941),…

Kyoyaki Inkstone by Miyanaga Tozan I

A Japanese Kyoyaki Inkstone by Miyanaga Tozan I (1868-1941), early Showa period, circa 1930S, the circular porcelain inkstone covered in a 'Kinuta' celadon glaze, the ink well and grinding surface unglazed. The base with an inscription and seal of Tozan.…

Circular celadon lidded ink box, with dragon and wave relief…

Dragon Wave Ink Box

Circular celadon lidded ink box, with dragon and wave relief decoration. Diameter 8 cm

Large Chinese late Qing Dynasty blue and white porcelain brush…

Qing Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Brush & Ink Stand

Large Chinese late Qing Dynasty blue and white porcelain brush and ink stand, of barrel form set with central ink stone surrounded by four brush holders, decorated with flowers and scrolling motifs, wax seal to base, height 13 cm

A Chinese ovoid ink stone in wooden case, with carved & gilt…

Chinese Ink Stone in Carved Wooden Case

A Chinese ovoid ink stone in wooden case, with carved & gilt characters to stone & lid, L. 21 cm

Chinese ink stone, with characters to lid & stone, 20.5 cm x 15.…

Chinese Ink Stone with Lid and Characters

Chinese ink stone, with characters to lid & stone, 20.5 cm x 15.5 cm x 5 cm high approx

Chinese Song Dynasty Fujian Dehua barbed small dish and ink box,…

Chinese Song Dynasty Fujian Dehua barbed small dish and ink box, 12th century, and an unusual Ming jarlet painted with lotus in overglaze red, (3)

Chinese carved hardstone calligraphy set with carved Buddha…

Chinese Hardstone Calligraphy Set with Buddha Figures

Chinese carved hardstone calligraphy set with carved Buddha figures, brass paste bowl, calligraphy brushes, ink stone, etc, on fitted wood base.

An old Chinese cased eight-piece ink stone set, the variously…

Antique Chinese Ink Stone Set with Gilt Highlights

An old Chinese cased eight-piece ink stone set, the variously shaped and decorated ink stones with remains of gilt highlights, in fitted case with calligraphic detail to the hinged lid.

Chinese ink stone, with engraved calligraphy on both sides, in…

Engraved Chinese Ink Stone in Carved Timber Case

Chinese ink stone, with engraved calligraphy on both sides, in carved timber case 20.5 cm wide

A Chinese Duan Inkstone, Qing Dynasty, probably 19th century,…

Qing Dynasty Aubergine Brown Inkstone with Calligraphic Script

A Chinese Duan Inkstone, Qing Dynasty, probably 19th century, the rectangular stone in aubergine brown tones with a small ink grinding reservoir revealing rings of green coloured stone and accompanied by calligraphic script to the upper section, in a…

A Chinese porcelain ink stone in the Qing manner, of compressed…

Qing-style Chinese Porcelain Ink Stone with Children at Play

A Chinese porcelain ink stone in the Qing manner, of compressed barrel form with a pierced top for brushes, and decorated in a predominantly iron red and green palette with a continuous scene of children at play in a landscape setting, between lingzhi…

Twelve Chinese Zodiac ink stones, in original box, each stone…

Chinese Zodiac Ink Stones Set in Original Box

Twelve Chinese Zodiac ink stones, in original box, each stone is 7.5 x 3 cm

A Chinese Inkstone in a fitted hardwood box, the shaped…

Chinese Inkstone in Fitted Hardwood Box with Inscribed Script

A Chinese Inkstone in a fitted hardwood box, the shaped aubergine duan stone with a shallow well and inscribed script, within a lidded hardwood box of conforming shape and colour with various seals and script to the lid, length 21.5 cm. Width 15 cm

Four various porcelain items. Chinese Qing Dynasty blue and…

Chinese Porcelain Collection: Qing to Republic Era

Four various porcelain items. Chinese Qing Dynasty blue and white ink box; Republic period tea bowl, with famille rose decoration; cylindrical lidded jar, with red headed cranes on blue ground; and drum form small pot with figure of child grasping it.…

An eggplant shaped ink stone in hardwood timber box, with vine…

Eggplant Ink Stone in Decorative Timber Box

An eggplant shaped ink stone in hardwood timber box, with vine leaf decoration to stone and box. Length 20 cm

A Chinese Inkstone in a fitted hardwood box, in deep rich…

Aubergine Chinese Inkstone in Fitted Hardwood Box

A Chinese Inkstone in a fitted hardwood box, in deep rich aubergine tones, the shaped stone resembling the same fruit, having a shallow well and incised script, the fitted covered box with script and seals to the lid, length 26.5 cm. Width 13.5 cm

A boxed Chinese Inkstone. Possibly late Qing Dynasty (late 19th…

Aubergine Inkstone in Zitan Box

A boxed Chinese Inkstone. Possibly late Qing Dynasty (late 19th century/early 20th century). The shaped duan inkstone in deep aubergine hues inscribed with characters and encased in a fitted and conforming zitan box also inscribed with characters and a…

Large Chinese blue and white stand with ink stone, of…

Chinese Blue and White Stand with Ink Stone

Large Chinese blue and white stand with ink stone, of cylindrical form, decorated continuously with figures in an outdoor setting, the top set with circular inkstone, height 15 cm and diameter 26 cm

A Chinese bronze ink box, Qing Dynasty, late 19th century, the…

Chinese Qing Dynasty Bronze Ink Box

A Chinese bronze ink box, Qing Dynasty, late 19th century, the circular box with lid well engraved and inlaid with silver and other metals in low relief and depicting an elderly bearded man buffeted by the breeze in a pine tree landscape, height 5 cm,…

Chinese ink stone carved with trees and turtle and characters…

Tree and Turtle Chinese Ink Stone in Fitted Case

Chinese ink stone carved with trees and turtle and characters to back, in fitted timber case with carved character

A Chinese ink stone with character marks in fitted timber box…

Chinese Ink Stone in Fitted Timber Box with Marks

A Chinese ink stone with character marks in fitted timber box with marks

Two Chinese ink stones, one carved with cranes and lotus, wood…

Chinese Ink Stones with Carvings of Animals and Plants

Two Chinese ink stones, one carved with cranes and lotus, wood stand, the other with crabs and lotus, box, 23 and 24 cm long. Provenance: Mossgreen Auctions, 21 and 22 November 2011 lots 622 and 621

Chinese ink stone in presentation box, length 26 cm

Chinese Ink Stone in Presentation Box

Chinese ink stone in presentation box, length 26 cm

Good Chinese ink stone in inlaid timber case, 20.5 x 15.5 cm

Chinese Ink Stone in Timber Case

Good Chinese ink stone in inlaid timber case, 20.5 x 15.5 cm

A Chinese hardwood boxed set of twelve Zodiac sign red ink…

Chinese Zodiac Red Ink Stones Box Set

A Chinese hardwood boxed set of twelve Zodiac sign red ink stones, the rectangular lidded box opening to reveal twelve various shaped red ink stones, representing the twelve animal signs, variously shaped with matching shaped cut-out to the base, gilt and…

Chinese inkstone in carved timber case, 20 x 15 cm

Carved Chinese Inkstone in Timber Case

Chinese inkstone in carved timber case, 20 x 15 cm

A Meiji period black lacquer writing box, inside well used…

Meiji Era Lacquer Writing Box with Family Crests

A Meiji period black lacquer writing box, inside well used inkstone and copper water dropper, on lid three family mon crests, inside two pine trees, 22.5 x 14 cm

High relief ink stone depicting cranes in canopy, height 46 cm,…

Cranes in Canopy

High relief ink stone depicting cranes in canopy, height 46 cm, width 30.5 cm

An unusual Chinese bell shaped ink block with all over…

Chinese Bell-Shaped Ink Block with Inscribed Decoration

An unusual Chinese bell shaped ink block with all over inscribed and relief decoration. Matching box. Height 20 cm. Width 12 cm. Depth 3.5 cm

Chinese covered ink stone, 25 cm at longest point.

Chinese Ink Stone: Covered and Elegant

Chinese covered ink stone, 25 cm at longest point.

Chinese blackwood Inkstone box. Bamboo shoot form. 16 x 5 cm

Chinese Blackwood Bamboo Inkstone Box

Chinese blackwood Inkstone box. Bamboo shoot form. 16 x 5 cm

A Chinese Duan Inkstone, height 3.2 cm, 14.8 x 10.8 cm

Chinese Duan Inkstone - 3.2 cm Height, 14.8 x 10.8 cm

A Chinese Duan Inkstone, height 3.2 cm, 14.8 x 10.8 cm

An old Chinese ink block, of oval fan shape, moulded in relief…

Chinese Ink Block with Qianlong Mark and Enamel Decoration

An old Chinese ink block, of oval fan shape, moulded in relief to either side, one face with a scene of pavilions in a landscape with remnants of gilding and coloured enamels; the opposite side with an oval cartouche decorated with a calligraphic panel…

A Chinese highly carved deep relief black ink stone, scrolling…

Dragon-Chased Ink Stone with Cloud Relief

A Chinese highly carved deep relief black ink stone, scrolling cloud form with two relief dragons chasing the mystic pearl to the upper rim. 39 cm x 27 cm, in fitted box with pamphlet

Meiji period carved ivory figure Calligrapher with boy holding…

Meiji Ivory Calligrapher with Ink Stone Boy

Meiji period carved ivory figure Calligrapher with boy holding ink stone signed to base, measures 13 cm height

Extremely rare Chinese Qing Dynasty Cheat's handkerchief, c.1,…

Qing Dynasty Cheat's Handkerchief

Extremely rare Chinese Qing Dynasty Cheat's handkerchief, c.1,850, in silk, of square form, covered in miniature black script of cheat notes in order pass Imperial examinations, mounted, 37 cm x 38 cm catalogue note: Pressure to do well in the…

An Inkstone in a fitted stone box, the smooth terracotta and…

Terracotta Box with Banded Inkstone

An Inkstone in a fitted stone box, the smooth terracotta and ochre colour stone box with script to the lid, housing a rectangular stone in rich banded colours with a shallow well for, ink grinding and a fan shaped recess for colours, length 11.5 cm, width…

A Yuan style inkstone, decorated with a crackle glaze around…

Yuan Style Crackle Glazed Inkstone with Fitted Box

A Yuan style inkstone, decorated with a crackle glaze around rim. Later fitted box. Diameter 13 cm

Chinese carved ink stone, of rectangular form, decorated with a…

Chinese carved ink stone, of rectangular form, decorated with a scene of birds, flowers, foliage and stylised clouds, 19,5 cm x 14 cm

A fine Chinese Duan Inkstone, Qing Dynasty, possibly late 18th…

18th Century Chinese Duan Inkstone in Hardwood Box

A fine Chinese Duan Inkstone, Qing Dynasty, possibly late 18th century, the rectangular stone in typical deep aubergine tones with a circular well accompanied by engraved script, in a hardwood box, with script and seal of late Qianlong period. Length 18…

A carved inkstone bottle, the ink moulded in the form of a…

Buddhist Inkstone Bottle with Seal Marks and Figures

A carved inkstone bottle, the ink moulded in the form of a flask with designs of Buddhist figures to either side surrounded by numerous seal marks. Height 18.5 cm

A group of four Chinese porcelain scholar's desk pieces, late…

Chinese Porcelain Scholar's Desk Set, Late Qing Dynasty

A group of four Chinese porcelain scholar's desk pieces, late Qing Dynasty, late 19th century, comprising a scrolled wrist rest, an oval inkstone, a brush wash with a quatrefoil aperture, and a pierced rectangular brush rest, all with underglaze blue…

A Chinese carved inkstone in the form of a pond with money frog…

Chinese Inkstone: Pond with Money Frog and Lilies

A Chinese carved inkstone in the form of a pond with money frog and lilies inscribed underneath. Width 24 cm.

A brush pot shaped Chinese ink stone, height 10 cm, diameter 15…

Chinese Ink Stone Brush Pot

A brush pot shaped Chinese ink stone, height 10 cm, diameter 15 cm

A Chinese dragon decorated rectangular lidded inkstone, the…

Dragon Carved Inkstone with Lid

A Chinese dragon decorated rectangular lidded inkstone, the interior with shallow dish with deeper section at one end, the lid with relief sinuous dragon finely carved amongst clouds, dark tone. 25 cm x 13.5 cm x 5.5 cm.

Japanese Meiji period copper shibayama ink well and dish the…

Meiji Copper Shibayama Inkwell & Dish with Silver Inlay

Japanese Meiji period copper shibayama ink well and dish the circular dish and ovoid inkwell inlaid in silver and brass flowering plants, 14 cm diameter

A large and impressive inkstone, carved with dragons, trees and…

Dragon Carved Inkstone with Seal Mark

A large and impressive inkstone, carved with dragons, trees and storks, seal mark to base. 47 cm x 41 cm.