411 - A MARBLE INKSTONE IN ANIMAL SHAPE CHINA TANG DYNASTY

A MARBLE INKSTONE IN ANIMAL SHAPE CHINA TANG DYNASTY Dimensions: Height 9 cm Wide 9 cm Depth 13 cm Weight: 1583 grams A Chinese Tang-dynasty marble inkstone sculpted in the form of a crouching animal supporting a rectangular writing or grinding vessel. The beast's compact body and bent legs form a sturdy architectural base beneath the carefully hollowed upper trough. The warm cream-coloured stone displays subtle natural veining and softly weathered surfaces, which add depth to the carved contours. Inkstones were indispensable in traditional Chinese scholarly life, turning solid material into one of the treasured Four Treasures of the Study. This unusual zoomorphic form combines the practical demands of a scholar's desk accessory with the delightful creativity of early Chinese stone carving, giving the object both functional character and sculptural appeal.