Ink stone 砚台 – Yixing – 積古齋製 – China – Republieke periode (1912-1949)

A rare Republic Period Yixing three tier ink stone. The ink stone has two actual ink stone surfaces on the middle tier and underside of the cover. The base has compartments for calligraphy utensils and a small water well. The reddish Zisha clay base is coated with a lighter Duanni slip and engraved on the cover with a scene of a landscape with a small house tucked behind foliage. Stamped at the side wall with a shop mark 積古齋製 (or 积古斋制) which was a famous Yixing shop operating during the Republic Period of China.The inkstone is one of the "four treasures of the study" 文房四宝 which include a brush pen, an ink stick,paper, and inkstone, which are indispensable to any Chinese painter or calligrapher. Only through these four tools can they create the beauty of traditional Chinese art.Dimension: H4,9 x W11,2 x D8,3 cmCondition: Good and in used fully functional condition. The base had two small chips. The ink stone shows wear, staining and ink residue. Shipping method: The item is securely packed and shipped with insurance without stand or doll house vase.