Bronze inkstone?

Hi all ! Just found out about yall and hope it takes off. I have this Chinese(?) inkstone(?) and had asked on other forums but have found out nothing.Any input would be gratefully received.Im technologically challenged so if Im not doing the pictures correctly,please tell me how.

 

Hi Davey! no deep sea allowed!

 

Welcome johnnycb09! I got banned from the other antiques board because I mentioned Davey's name. I called silverthwaite last night and told her so she'll be able to let people know why I'm not there anymore.

 

I've seen a lot of inkstones, but none that were bronze.

 

Hi Thelma! I wondered what had happened to you.So many have disappeared the last few months its like a graveyard now. It sure looks and feels like bronze to me,but maybe its something else???

 

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny! What are the dimensions? And how heavy is it? Might be a tray to hold an inkstone, but I dunno...

 

Its 9 1/2 by 6,and I don't have a scale but its got to weigh 5 lbs! Its super heavy.

 

Too big for an ink stone, I would think. Wonder if there once was some sort of insert?

 

Im thinking now that it had a lid at some point once I looked at some of the pics Davey linked to.

 

Yep, does have some similarities and could have had a lid, looking at the inner edges, but checking the sizes on a couple of the images on Davey's link, yours is still kinda big...

 

Theres ink in some of the carvings and around the edges,so I don't know???

 

OK, then the interior dimensions of what might have been an inkstone box would be like the others?

 

I just don't know?!? Its got that slant?

 

I've had a few ink stones over the years, and, when I took a calligraphy class once, did learn a little about them. It's not an area I specialize in though.

But what I can tell you is that ink stones were originally made from pottery, then from natural stone, and can also be made from bronze. And while they originated in China, they've been used in Japan for centuries. The Japanese ones, especially those used in Zen calligraphy, are larger than the typical Chinese ones, and most often are rectangular. A size of 12" x 8" is common. So if this is bronze, and larger, it doesn't necessarily mean it isn't an authentic ink stone. I don't know what else it would be, based on everything you've said, and the photos.

 

Hi Taupou,its great to see you here! And I thank you for the input! I wish I could translate the writing on the bottom,it'd probably clear the whole mystery right up,as in "Made in China!" or the like.

 

Not trying to cause further confusion, but the writing looks Korean.

 

It could be Sanskrit and I still couldn't figure it out LOL!

 

Yes, you could call this an inkstone, but since it's metal, the alternate "inkslab" would be less confusing. It's not a box. An inkstick is ground with a bit of water in the upper portion and the resulting ink accumulates in the lower portion.

Many metal ones on Google Images if you search 铜 砚台 .

The writing is Korean.