Featured Chinese tile

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by daveydempsey, Sep 11, 2017.

  1. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    I don`t know which section to put this because I don`t know if the item is made of wood, ceramic or coal.
    Its quite heavy and cold to the touch, weighs 60g, measures 9cm long, 4cm wide and 1cm deep.

    The previous owner of this tile worked for the Secret Service and then later was in the Diplomatic Service. 1950-1960`s

    I went to my local Chinese takeaway and asked if they could read it.
    The young Chinese guy in there said he had never been to China but he identified it as Xi An tower.
    (that cost me £12 for two meals)

    Xian pronounced Cian is a large city in China.

    Google images suggests this is Big Goose Pagoda Tower in XIAN, built in the Tang Dynasty 618-907, a Buddhist building.
    I can`t find similar items.
    Do you think this is cheap communist China tourist souvenir or expensive communist China cultural exchange gift for VIP`s

    033.JPG

    034.JPG

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    036.JPG

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    039.JPG

    040.JPG
     
    daveydempsey, Sep 11, 2017
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  2. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    Mmm, It does look as an ink cake, solid ink to use in chinese calligraphy!
     
    kyratango, Sep 11, 2017
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  3. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    kyratango, Sep 11, 2017
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  4. Mat

    Mat Well-Known Member

    I agree!
     
    Mat, Sep 11, 2017
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  5. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    [​IMG]
     
    kyratango, Sep 11, 2017
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  6. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    How would I find out, wet it ? :eek:
     
    daveydempsey, Sep 11, 2017
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  7. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    Your's seems modern, vintage perhaps, not a diplomatic gift quality, rather tourist piece, but surely usable for calligraphy:)
     
    kyratango, Sep 11, 2017
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  8. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    Taste it with your tongue :playful:, if became black...
     
    kyratango, Sep 11, 2017
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  9. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I agree with kyra, an ink stone. Many artists in the west also use them, and they are available in artist's supply stores.
    If you want to be absolutely certain, you can just rub some moistened cotton wool (cotton bud) on the side.
     
    Any Jewelry, Sep 11, 2017
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  10. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    Thank you @kyratango
    I googled images "Chinese calligraphy Ink stones"
    very many similar to mine with similar lettering.
    Its not going in my mouth :D

    I can now rule out any association with James Bond 007 :rolleyes:
     
    daveydempsey, Sep 11, 2017
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  11. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    AJ, the moistened cotton bud is a good way to check! (even if I love the idea of Daveydempsey showing us a black tongue as a proof :hilarious:)

    Ink stone is rather the support for the ink preparation, the solid ink piece is called either an ink stick or an ink cake :hungry:
    [​IMG]
     
    kyratango, Sep 11, 2017
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  12. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    Glad to have been of some help :happy:
    I'm a big adept of tasting as a test (for jewellery!);):p
     
    kyratango, Sep 11, 2017
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  13. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    LOL, SMART! according to that video you saved yourself from leaning "over a toilet for several hours" as it's quite toxic!
    The girls trying to lead Davey down the garden path over here is hilarious!
     
    James Conrad, Sep 11, 2017
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  14. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    My father used to taste archealogical finds, he tasted the mineral extrusions.
     
    Any Jewelry, Sep 11, 2017
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  15. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    A friend of mine in Seattle deliberately bought a fake Chinese made US Morgan Dollar coin on eBay.
    He took it to his lab at work and had it analyzed.
    A real one contains 90% silver & 10% copper.
    This one contained Iron, Lead and Arsenic among other things.
    Always wise to wash your hands after handling these things.
     
    daveydempsey, Sep 11, 2017
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