(Qinding) Xiqing yanshuo (欽定)西清硯譜

(Qinding) Xiqing yanpu (欽定)西清硯譜 is a book on inkstones compiled on imperial order under the supervision of Yu Minzhong 于敏中 (1714-1779) and Liang Guozhi 梁國治 (1723-1786). The illustrations were created by Men Yingzhao 門應兆 (fl. 1787).

Figure 1. Han-period inkstone of ceramic

Ceramic inkstone found in the Eastern Hall (Dongge 東閣) of the Weiyang Palace 未央宮 of the Han dynasty 漢 (206 BCE-220 CE). Upper side to the right, lower side in the middle, and a transcription of the original inscription on the left side. The original Siku quanshu 四庫全書 edition reproduced the inkstone with a scale of 6:10.

Figure 2. Inkstone once owned by Zhu Yizun 朱彝尊

The shape is said to imitate the traditional well-field system, upper side to the right, and the bottom side on the left. The reproduction scale in the original book is 8:10.

The book has a length of of 25 juan. The first part (juan 1-6) is dedicated to ceramic inkstones from the Han to the Ming period 明 (1368-1644). The next section (juan 7-21) includes inkstones made of various stone materials. The oldest one dates from the Jin period 晉 (265-420), while the youngest one was owned by Zhu Yizun 朱彝尊 (1629-1709). The last two fascicles are a kind of supplement.

The book is thus an ideal overview of the history of inkstones and shows materials and shapes through the ages. Each illustration is described like in an exhibition catalogue. Inscriptions, imprints and dedications are reproduced, as is the collection history of the item, as far as known.

The book is included in the series Siku quanshu 四庫全書 and Siku quanshu zhenben chuji 四庫全書珍本初集.