An inkstone is a stone mortar used to grind a solid ink stick against water and to hold the resulting liquid ink, most often carved from stone but also made from clay, bronze, iron or porcelain. It descends from an older rubbing tool used to grind dyes as far back as six to seven thousand years ago, and as part of traditional Chinese stationery it remains a core implement of calligraphy and painting across East Asia.
Facts
Introduced When (Circa)The earliest excavated inkstone dates from the 3rd century BC, found in a tomb in modern Yunmeng, Hubei. 1 OriginThe inkstone evolved from an older rubbing tool used to grind dyes, dating to roughly 6,000 to 7,000 years ago. 1 Introduced era (class) Still Made Today Connections
Used In
Inkstone is used in Calligraphy.
Source Dictionary.com: inkstone definition
In the Other Atlases
Era Of Origin
Also in History Atlas: the era this subject comes from.
Sources
1. Inkstone (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationHistory, Early history subsection
The earliest excavated inkstone is dated from the 3rd century BC, and was discovered in a tomb located in modern Yunmeng, Hubei.
History, Early history subsection, rubbing-tool sentence
The device evolved from a rubbing tool used for rubbing dyes dating around 6,000 to 7,000 years ago.
Lead section
In addition to stone, inkstones are also manufactured from clay, bronze, iron, and porcelain.
View the Source Dictionary.com: inkstone definition
Dictionary.comUsed In: Calligraphy, Definition
used in Chinese calligraphy and painting
In Group: Pens, Inks and Writing Supplies, Definition entry
a slab of stone used in Chinese calligraphy and painting to grind dry ink and mix it with water.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.