H4260.22

• california gold rush

Chinese box with stone inside. Period or Date: California Period - Mother Lode; Description: Carved rectangular whetstone fits inside wood box. (D. Cooper, 3/96) According to the interpretation in the History Information Station, this is an ink stone not a whet-stone. From the History Information Station Writing the Chinese language was, and still is, considered an art. Brushes, paper and ink all had to be of the highest quality. In early California, an accomplished calligrapher often mixed his own ink, to ensure its quality. First he rubbed a solid block of ink over an ink stone, making an inky powder. The powder was then mixed with water until it was of the proper consistency and color. The Chinese had such a high respect for the written word that any paper containing writing could not be casually thrown way. Such papers were gathered together and taken to a special communal furnace where they were ceremoniously burned.

Used: California | Chinese