Paper | Ancient Chinese Culture

Four Treasures of the Study

Posted by ancient chinese culture in Chinese Arts & Crafts on April 11, 2010

Four Treasures of the Study, also called Four Jewels of the Study, refer to the brush, ink stick, paper and ink stone in Chinese. Each of them is an indispensable tool for Chinese calligraphy and Chinese painting.

In China, the history of brush can date back to 4000-5000 years ago; the ink was firstly used 3000 years ago; the ink stone was invented in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC) and the paper was invented in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 – 220 AD).

It is believed that the development of Chinese traditional culture and art are closely related to the development of the Four Treasures of the Study and to some extent, they were even an important part of the traditional Chinese culture.

brush, four treasures of the study, ink, ink stone, paper

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Four Treasures of the Study – Paper

Posted by ancient chinese culture in Chinese Arts & Crafts on November 5, 2009

Paper is acknowledged as one of the Four Greatest Inventions in ancient China. It was widely believed that paper was invented by Cai Lun in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Xuan Paper, a particular form of paper of highest value, was regarded as one of the Four Treasures of the Study.

It is soft, fine-textured, moth resistant and has a high tensile strength. It could maintain the flexibility even after a long period of time. Originally, it was produced in Jing Prefecture of Xuanzhou (Anhui Province) during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The production involved over 10 working procedures and more than 100 processes. Generally, it took a year for the production of Xuan Paper.