Inkstone in the Shape of a 
Gourd
Yung-cheng period (A.D. 
1723-1735)
Ch'ing Dynasty
Length:          18.4cm
Width:           13.2cm
Thickness:        1.4cm
       This  gourd-shaped 
inkstone is made of green 
Sung-hua stone.  Its ink-
grinding surface is slightly 
concave.  The water reser-
voir is located towards the 
top of the gourd, decorated 
with a bat design above the 
pool.  Inscribed  on  the 
slightly depressed  under-
side surface of the inkstone 
are eight characters by the 
Yung-cheng Emperor, and a 
Yung-cheng reign mark.