The ink stick, also known as mo in Chinese, is a type of solid ink used traditionally in China for calligraphy and brush painting. It is regarded as one of the four treasures of study in Chinese history.

Legend goes that it was invented by King Yi about 2,800 years ago. However, archaeologists have detected ink marks on the back of inscribed bones or tortoise shells of the Shang Dynasty, 3,200 years ago.

Most ink sticks are made of soot and animal glue and sometimes with incense or medicinal scents added. Of all the ink sticks, the most famous one is Anhui ink stick, also called hui mo, which is made from the pines that grow on Mount Huang in Anhui Province. It is said that it is as hard as stone and will not deteriorate for as long as then years.

Ink Stone, also called ink slab, is a kind of stationery used for the grinding and containment of ink. In ancient China, ink was solidified into sticks as there was no better way for its transportation and preservation.

The history of ink stone can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-905) and it reached its peak during the Song Dynasty (960-1276). They are usually round in shape with a concave or a flat grinding surface. Sometimes, a lid, which was made of wood or of the same stone, would also be found together with the ink stone. In ancient times, some people even had their names or other words engraved on their ink stones to be passed on to their later generations.

The quality and the texture of the ink will be affected by the ink stone greatly. Of all the kinds of inks stones, there are four of them especially noted as Four Famous Ink Stones. They are:

• The Duan ink stone from Duanxi, Guangdong

• She ink stone from Anhui

• Tao River ink stone from Gansu

• Chengni ceramic ink stone from Shanxi