Qing Imperial Palace: Inkstone with the Eighteen Arhats Crossing the Sea

CHINA, Beijing; Song dynasty

Created in the Song dynasty, this elliptical inkstone was kept in the Qing Imperial Palace. It is made from a rare and precious stone from the Tao River in Gansu.
The inkstone measures 29 cm long, 22 cm wide, and 8.5 cm high. There are carvings around the side, on the top and bottom of the inkstone, and on the wooden lid. On the side of the inkstone, the Eighteen Arhats are depicted crossing the ocean. They are in different poses and are evenly distributed with lively carvings. On the bottom of the inkstone, there are carvings of twin dragons surrounded by clouds. On top, there is an inlaid jade disc and an inscription in regular script.