Inkstone with Moon and Star
Motifs with Su Shih Mark 
Sung Dynasty  (A.D. 960-
1279)
     Made of Tuan River 
stone  from  Kwangtung,
the sloping back of this 
inkstone is densely strewn 
with greenish-yellow "eyes" 
of varying heights.  Each 
"eye"  is  carved  on  the
tip  of  a  round  column, 
symbolizing  the celestial
"star columns."  There is 
also another "eye" on the 
face of the inkstone, on 
the edge of the ink trough,
which is carved like a full
moon.  This makes manifest
the idea that "when inky 
clouds obscure the moon, 
the stars twinkle brightly
in the sky."