A warming inkstone was designed to keep ink from freezing in winter, with examples dating back to the Tang dyn…
A warming inkstone was designed to keep ink from freezing in winter, with examples dating back to the Tang dynasty. In the Tang and Song periods, it was typically built in two layers: an upper surface for grinding ink and a lower chamber for heat.
Two main types were common. Water-warmed models held hot water in the inner cavity for steady warmth, while fire-warmed models heated quickly by burning charcoal beneath the stone.