Inkstone with waterscape

Object Details

• Description

  The upper surface of the irregularly-shaped inkstone consists of a small water reservoir, decorated with acquatic flora and fauna, while the lower portion is occupied by two ducks whose concave bodies serve as shallow wells for holding ink. A thirty-two character inscription is carved into the bottom surface of the inkstone. Following the inscription are the two characters Tianxi and a single intaglio seal character Guo. The inscription, consisting of four eight-character lines can be rendered: "The glossiness of stone and the durability of jade are concealed in mountains and rivers; their brightness and shadow are dependant upon heaven which regulates the years; laving [this inkstone] with pure spring water, I spew forth my cloudy vapor; my writing and meditation will be perpetuated by this transmission."

  The box containing the inkstone is carved from a dense, tropical hardwood. The cover of the box repeats the design of the inkstone, including the birds and flora and fauna of the pond. The bottom of the box is carved to resemble a lotus leaf.

• Inscriptions

  1. (Thomas Lawton, 6 January 1995) A thirty-two character inscription is carved into the bottom surface of the inkstone. Following the inscription are the two characters Tianxi and a single intaglio seal character Guo. The author may be Guo Tianxi (ca. 1235-ca.1302) or Guo Bi (1280-1335). See Comment 1.

• Provenance

  Probably from ca. 1920s to 1970

  Eugene Meyer (1875-1959) and

  Agnes E. Meyer (1887-1970), Washington, DC, and Mt. Kisco, NY, probably from ca. 1920s [1]

  From 1970 to 1992

  Elizabeth Meyer Lorentz, Armonk, NY, by descent from her mother, Agnes E. Meyer in 1970 [2]

  From 1992

  Freer Gallery of Art, given by Elizabeth Meyer Lorenz in 1992 [3]

  Notes:

  [1] According to information included in Thomas Lawton’s Report, dated January 6, 1995, in object file.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] See Elizabeth Meyer Lorentz’s Deed of Gift, dated June 12, 1995, in object file.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Word Play: Contemporary Art by Xu Bing (October 21, 2001 to January 13, 2002)

  An Invitation to Tea (November 9, 1996 to April 26, 1998)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer ((1875-1959) and (1887-1970))

  Agnes E. Meyer (1887-1970)

  Elizabeth Meyer Lorentz (1913-2001)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Mrs. Elizabeth Meyer Lorentz in memory of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer

• Type

  Tool and Equipment

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1930s, 1860s

• Name

  Lorentz, Elizabeth Meyer, Meyer, Agnes E., Meyer, Eugene and Agnes E.

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Crustaceans, Art, Chinese Art, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), Crabs, Writing, Lotus, Modern period (1912 - present), Ducks

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Tools and equipment