Inkstone
| Weight (lb.) | Price | |
| Practical | ||
| Small Inkstone * | 0.5 | $ 9.55 |
| Silk Veined Inkstone * | 1.5 | $ 14.50 |
| Artist | ||
| Imitation Han-style Inkstone * | 5 | $ 105.00 |
| Collector | ||
| Phoenix on Magnolia * | 6 | $ 1,350.00 |
| Water Buffalo and Moon | 5 | $ 1,650.00 |
| * Xizhou slate * Duanzhou slate |  view cart |
Shipping: additional $ 2.00 for each pound of the inkstone. The fraction is counted for one.
Inkstone is an essential equipment in a Chinese studio for preparing ink from a ink stick. This rubbing tool can be in various materials, like pottery, porcelain, bronze, or jade; however, the best quality is found in stones. The stone must be hard, fine-grained, seepage-proof, and discharging ink fast. Among many stone sources are four famous inkstones, which have won the favor of the Chinese for many centuries.
There are three categories in this rubbing tool. The first one is practical inkstone, designed for beginners in a simple square or round form. The second one is for artist use, bigger in volume, better in quality, and dressed in styles to please the eye. The last one is collector's inkstone, valuable for its fine carvings as well as the precious materials.
Cover the inkstone with its lid after each use to prevent drying the ink and collecting the dust. Wash the stone clean if the leftover ink dries in chips, which may give unexpected sedimental effect on some sensitive rice paper. Always store the stoneware in a cool place away from direct sunlight and heat.