Imre Jakabffy (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 8. (Budapest, 1984)

CHIA-JEN KECSKÉS, Lily: Art and connoisseurship of the ink

7. 10-PIECE INK SET in different shapes, from the inkshop of Ts'ao Su-kung (1615— 89), a native of She-hisien, Anhui province, one of the best inkmakers of the Ch'ing dynasty. paying the same respect as Ni Tsan (1301— 1374) did for a great inkmaker and his fine ink in the following lines: At the foot of T'ung-kuan Mountain lies the Pavilion of White Clouds, Large pines, in which fu-ling fungus grows, stand along the stream. Here you've got the recipe of inkmaking left behind by Master P'an.

20 When the ink is made, as the highest honored gift, it is to copy the 'Cinnabar Book'. ..Dedicated to Inkmaker Wu Shan" —

21 by Ni Tsan. Ink Collecting and Collectors We may assume that the activities of ink collecting came into existence hand in hand with the emergence of noted inkmakers. Wei Tan of the second century already proposed to secure the best paper, writing brush and ink for writing fine calligraphy. Ink was given by the Emperors to their subordinates as a token of appreciation or reward. It was also sent in the imperial court as tribute as early as in the Han dynasty. The appreciation 152