Blue and White Ink Box

This petite blue and white porcelain box once contained the ink used by a Qing-dynasty scholar or official to mark his works with a personalized seal. The final addition to any official document or calligraphy painting, seal marks conveyed the scholar's authority and affirmed the document's authenticity. A mixture of ground mugwort, oil, and vermillion, seal ink was among the four treasures of the scholar's studio and thus warranted its own cherished accessories. This ink box is painted with an abstract bat, a symbol of happiness and prosperity, surrounded by dense scrollwork and a simple meander frame.