The objects of a literati's studio has a long history in Chinese culture, as pen (brush), ink, paper, and inkstone are known as "Four Treasures of the Study." In a literati's studio, there is a considerably small object called ink-rest. The predecessors must make ink by hand before writing , and the ink ingots went instantly wet and melting once with water. If they were not properly placed, they would easily stain other things, and hence the small ink-rest which was only two fingers wide and three inches long. This ink-rest is agarwood engraved with motif of clouds, its material precious and its shape sleek, a rare fine piece from a literati's studio.
The objects of a literati's studio has a long history in Chinese culture,
as pen (brush), ink, paper, and inkstone are known as "Four Treasures
of the Study." In a literati's studio, there is a considerably small object
called ink-rest. The predecessors must make ink by hand before
writing , and the ink ingots went instantly wet and melting once with
water. If they were not properly placed, they would easily stain other
things, and hence the small ink-rest which was only two fingers wide
and three inches long. This ink-rest is agarwood engraved with motif
of clouds, its material precious and its shape sleek, a rare fine piece
from a literati's studio.