The Stone Chamber Where One Writes Exquisite Things

Workshop of Jian Guzhai (Chinese,)

This ink tablet is from a sixty-four-tablet set (30.76.216–.279) commissioned by the Jiaqing emperor from the Studio for Appreciating the Antique (Jiangu Zhai) manufactory of the Wang Jinsheng family in Huizhou, Anhui Province. Each ink tablet commemorates a hall or pavilion in one of the imperial gardens. Each site’s name is written in gilt characters on one side; a view of the site is presented on the other. Such inks were purely decorative and not intended for use.

Credit: Rogers Fund, 1930

Late 19th-early 20th century

Pine soot and binding medium; inscribed in gilt

7.9cm

30.76.222

Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019