dark brown stone with tan streaks near top and on back; slightly narrower at top with swirling cloud design at top and bottom; undecorated box

Ink Stone with Cloud Design, 1686

expand_more

Duan stoneexpand_more

Gift of Ruth and Bruce Daytonexpand_more  2001.138.6a-c

Cha Sheng, from Hai-ming Chekiang province, was a leading scholar, Han Lin academician, palace official, painter, and calligrapher. Upon gaining his doctorate (chin-shih) in 1688 he was made Vice Supervisor of the household of the heir apparent. Carved with a pleasingly simple design of swirling clouds, the reverse side reads:

The clouds' root is like new skin,
Growing day and night on the endless rain.
What is this slice of stone'
It is a congealed spot of ancient clouds.>
If it is touched by fragrant lamp-black (ink)
Essence of dew will sprinkle onto the brush tip.
Using this brush to write the sage's classics,
All will be enriched the whole world wide.

Inscribed by Cha Sheng of western Chekiang in early summer of 1686.

Details
Title
Ink Stone with Cloud Design
Artist Life
1650 - 1708
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2001.138.6a-c
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know

Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.

dark brown stone with tan streaks near top and on back; slightly narrower at top with swirling cloud design at top and bottom; undecorated box