126 - Fahua-style porcelain inkstone, China, probably late Ming Dynasty, early Qing Dynasty, Kangxi era (17th century)

Fahua-style porcelain inkstone, China, probably late Ming Dynasty, early Qing Dynasty, Kangxi era (17th century) Anthropomorphic inkstone made of sandstone with polychrome lead-glazes, modeled in the form of a bearded male figure depicted seated, with his legs slightly bent in front of him and held by both hands. The face, with wide-open eyes, is animated by a long mustache and a forked beard framing an open mouth. The figure wears a kanmuri-style dignitary’s headdress and is clad in a robe with wide sleeves embellished with turquoise blue, yellow, eggplant, white, and black glazes—a palette characteristic of the fahua wares produced in the kilns of Shanxi. The central section, left as unglazed bisque, serves as the abrasive surface for grinding the inkstick, while the open mouth, coated with a yellow glaze, forms the reservoir that holds the liquid ink after it has been ground. The base has a small firing hole. Fahua ceramic inkstones are among the rarest scholar’s objects from this tradition, which is primarily known for its statuettes, incense burners, and vases. A similar example is held at the Museum of Far Eastern Art in Stockholm (Östasiatiska museet), where it is identified as an inkstone (Grinding stone for India ink). To date, no other comparable example has been located in accessible public collections, which makes this piece particularly rare. A small wooden lid covers the area used for grinding the ink stick. Old collection label on the underside. Condition: Good overall condition, with some wear and chipped enamel. Dimensions: 15.5 cm x 10.5 cm