Chengni Inkstone — Chinese Inkstone, Fired from Yellow River Silt
Chengni inkstone is made from silt taken from the Yellow River, refined, pressed into form and fired. It is one of the four classical inkstone types of China, and it is Luoyang's own.
Mud from the Great River
An inkstone is not a decorative object. It is a tool: a surface on which an ink stick is ground with water to make ink for writing and painting. The quality of that surface — how finely it grinds, how it holds water, how it wears — is the whole point.
Chengni inkstone is made from Yellow River silt. The mud is collected, left to settle, sifted, and worked into a paste dense enough to be pressed into a mould. It is then carved, dried slowly, and fired.
China's four classical inkstones are Duan, She, Tao and Chengni. Only Chengni is made from river silt rather than stone — and only Chengni is Luoyang's.
Craft Grades
Every line is graded the same way: by how much of the work is done by hand, what it is made of, and how the finish is treated. The grade is stated on your quotation so you know exactly what you are buying.
Pricing depends on size, craft grade and order quantity. Request a quote for your specification.
Hand-built
The form is made by hand throughout — thrown, modelled or built up.
Hand-finished
The form may be press-moulded or cast, but all finishing, carving and decoration is done by hand.
Studio grade
Hand work on a controlled form, with the maker's own glazes or patinas.
Presentation grade
The highest hand-work content in the line, selected for finish and consistency. Intended for gift and collection channels.
Typical Specifications
- Length
- 11–24 cm
- Width
- 7–18 cm
- Thickness
- 2–8 cm
- Body
- Chengni clay, fired; fine-grained surface, left unglazed for grinding
Custom Work
Form — classical rectangular and round forms, or carved to your design. Carving — inscription, seal mark or decorative relief. Presentation — fitted box for gift and collection channels.
Request a Quote
Tell us the craft line, the form, the quantity and the destination. We will come back with a quotation, lead time and packing details for your specification.