Ink Tablet Decorated with Mythical Horse and the Eight Trigrams by Xiu Fangzhai

Ink Tablet Decorated with Mythical Horse and the Eight Trigrams 1871 - 1933

ink

natural stone pattern

rippled sketch texture

tactile

textured

detailed texture

asian-art

ink

chalky texture

embossed

china

imprinted textile

layered pattern

organic texture

This small ink tablet, carved from black inkstone and decorated with a mythical horse and the eight trigrams, is a traditional Chinese writing implement dating from 1871 to 1933. The tablet was created by the artist Xiu Fangzhai. The horse, galloping over stylized waves, represents power and strength. The trigrams, which are symbols from ancient Chinese divination and philosophy, symbolize the cosmos and its various elements. The tablet's compact size makes it a portable tool for writers and artists. The piece is currently in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.