“national treasure” (guo bao 國寶) ink cake, unknown maker from China

Archive Label date unknown: A Chinese scholar-artist selcted his ink with great care, considering it one of the Four Treaures of his studiio. The manufacture of ink was a highly specialized and respected craft. Ink was made by burning pinewood, tung oil or some other carefully selected combustible material and mixing the resulting soot or charcoal with glue to forrm a paste which was pressed into a wooden mold. During the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), inkcakes became recognized as an art form. Molds were incised with inscriptions and ornamental motifs designed by well-known artists, and manufacturers published illustrate catalogues of their cakes. A good inkcake can last for several centuries without losing the intensity of its color. Dragons and the incised character kuo pao (National Treasure) decorate one side of this inkcake. On the other, stylized cloud forms enclose the inscritpion, "made in the reign of Hsuan Te of the great Ming dynasty.