A Rare Feng–Character Form Kosometsuke Inkstone, Late Ming dynasty, Early 17th century. Length: 18.0 cm. Width: 13.7 cm. Height: 4.0 cm.  © 2024 Kaikodo

Inscription on wooden box lid:
清華瓷風字硯
“Pure beauty ceramic inkstone in the shape of the
character feng (‘wind’).”

Inscription on the interior of the box lid:
其色菁華其質
玲瓏窻明几浄
穆兮清風
清華瓷風字硯銘　二水
“Its color is pure and gorgeous.
Its body is fine and regular;
(Under a) bright window, (on a) clean desk,
(It is) as pleasing as a fresh breeze. Nisui”

Seal: illegible.

The porcelain inkstone is in the shape of the Chinese character feng,“wind,” and also reminiscent of a gold or silver ingot. Raised on two thick circular pad feet with beveled edges, the top is carved with a slightly recessed and grinding surface deepening to a trough to hold water at one end. The bottom of the stone is carved with a depression vaguely mirroring the inkstone surface. Opposite the water receptacle the image of a tiger is painted climbing a rock beneath three tall stalks of bamboo, the bamboo growing along the curved border on the left side of the inkstone, several clumps of leaves draping over the upper border of the implement. Facing the tiger that lords over the land, a dragon, denizen of the sea, is portrayed with arched neck, head held high, horns flowing back, its snout open, one clawed foot raised. The dragon emerges from cresting waves that continue up the right side of the inkstone and along the outside edge on the trough side opposite the bamboo. The greyish-blue cobalt painting is roughly but effectively applied capturing the brusque presence and power of the iconic creatures. The clear colorless glaze partially covers the base leaving the feet unglazed and exhibits heavy flaking from the edges of the piece. Considerable ink stains are apparent on the grinding surface where a crack running across the surface is also visible. A zitan wood cover fits over the grinding surface outlined with a raised thin-line border.

For more information,

https://www.kaikodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/aaa25-Koso-Inkstone-3489.pdf