0
30,246  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 74  ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAY NEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Sort Order
Latest
Price Low
Price High
sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA1004175
FOR SALE
£875
Email Buy
Save
Antique Set of Calligraphic Ink Blocks, Japanese, 8 Pieces, Meiji, Victorian
London Fine Antiques
for sale €1,024     $1,111
£875
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealers Stock Page
  • About Us
    Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide
Id #SA1004175
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Antique Set of Calligraphic Ink Blocks, Japanese, 8 Pieces, Meiji, Victorian

19th century
Description

This is an antique set of calligraphic ink blocks. A Japanese, boxed set of 8 soot ink shapes, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.

Ink blocks are one of the Four Treasures of Japanese ink painting

Displaying a desirable aged patina and good original order

Composed of soot oil, intended for grinding on an ink stone with a small amount of water

Such ink is the basis of the famous Sumi-e art style

Each of the eight blocks is decorated to both sides with traditional scenes, with gilt accents

Ink blocks range in length from 2.5'' to 4'' respectively

This is a fascinating antique set of calligraphic ink blocks, presented in wonderfully preserved order within a distinctive, aged case. A treat for the art appreciator or collector. Delivered ready to enjoy.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 22cm (8.75'')

Max Depth: 29.5cm (11.5'')

Max Height: 2cm (.75'')

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of our antiques.

We ship worldwide with professional packing and attractive rates – please send us your post / zip code and country for a quote.

Free delivery to most of the U.K. – Please send us your post code for confirmation.

Deliveries taking on average ten working days to arrive at your door from receipt of payment.

Please contact us if you require any further information - we are here to help.

Physical Dimensions
Height
2cm (0.79")
Width
22cm (8.66")
Depth
29.5cm (11.61")
Declaration

London Fine Antiques has dated these Japanese Calligraphy Ink Blocks to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1004175
Dealers Internal Reference
18.9479
Dealers Notes

What our clients have to say: https://www.londonfine.co.uk/pages/reviews

Description
This is an antique set of calligraphic ink blocks. A Japanese, boxed set of 8 soot ink shapes, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.

Ink blocks are one of the Four Treasures of Japanese ink painting

fig 1. An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box.
fig 1. Antique Set of Calligraphic Ink Blocks, Japanese, 8 Pieces, Meiji, Victorian

Displaying a desirable aged patina and good original order

Composed of soot oil, intended for grinding on an ink stone with a small amount of water

Such ink is the basis of the famous Sumi-e art style

Each of the eight blocks is decorated to both sides with traditional scenes, with gilt accents

fig 2. An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box.
fig 2. Antique Set of Calligraphic Ink Blocks, Japanese, 8 Pieces, Meiji, Victorian

Ink blocks range in length from 2.5'' to 4'' respectively

“
This is a fascinating antique set of calligraphic ink blocks, presented in wonderfully preserved order within a distinctive, aged case.
London Fine Antiques

A treat for the art appreciator or collector. Delivered ready to enjoy.

fig 3. An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box.
fig 3. Antique Set of Calligraphic Ink Blocks, Japanese, 8 Pieces, Meiji, Victorian

Dimensions:

Max Width: 22cm (8.75'')

Max Depth: 29.5cm (11.5'')

Max Height: 2cm (.75'')

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of our antiques.

We ship worldwide with professional packing and attractive rates – please send us your post / zip code and country for a quote.

fig 4. An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box.
fig 4. Antique Set of Calligraphic Ink Blocks, Japanese, 8 Pieces, Meiji, Victorian

Free delivery to most of the U.K. – Please send us your post code for confirmation.

Deliveries taking on average ten working days to arrive at your door from receipt of payment.

Please contact us if you require any further information - we are here to help.

Height
2cm (0.79")
Width
22cm (8.66")
Depth
29.5cm (11.61")
Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated these Japanese Calligraphy Ink Blocks to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1004175
Dealers Internal Ref
18.9479
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2010

Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the London Fine Antiques Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box.
1 / 12
Archive I An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box.

Antique Set of Calligraphic Ink Blocks, Japanese, 8 Pieces, Meiji, Victorian

Archive II An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box. View II
Archive III An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box. View III
Archive IV An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box. View IV
Archive V An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box. View V
Archive VI An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box. View VI
Archive VII An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box. View VII
Archive VIII An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box. View VIII
Archive IX An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box. View IX
Archive X An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box. View X
Archive XI An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box. View XI
Archive XII An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques
Telephone 0207 1833511
Location
The Antique Village
Hele
Exeter
Devon
EX5 4PW
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
Items For Sale 945
Items Sold 5,602
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Antique Village, Hele, Exeter, Devon , EX5 4PW, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified
Oct 2010
For Sale
945
Sold
5,602
An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box.
Antique Set Of Calligraphic Ink Blocks, Japanese, 8 Pieces, Meiji, Victorian
Ref: SA1004175
An eight-piece set of black Japanese calligraphic ink blocks in various geometric and organic shapes with gold detailed relief, alongside a patterned storage box.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Detail View 10
Detail View 11
Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

FAQs

Traditional Japanese ink blocks, known as sumi, are solid cakes of compressed soot and animal glue used historically for calligraphy and ink wash painting. They originated from Chinese techniques introduced to Japan, becoming central to the scholars studio during periods such as the Meiji era.

Ink blocks are primarily made from pine soot or oil soot bound with hide glue (nikawa) and occasionally scented with botanical extracts. Intricate designs and characters are pressed into wooden moulds before the blocks are left to cure over extended periods.

Authentic antique ink blocks often feature moulded relief decoration, delicate gilding, and fine kanji inscriptions detailing the maker or series. Age is typically indicated by fine surface craquelure, subtle wear to the gilt highlights, and a hard surface patina.

Antique ink blocks can be styled as decorative objects within glass display cases, placed flat inside open tray tables, or arranged on shelving alongside scholars objects and art books.

Ink blocks should be kept in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight, extreme humidity, and rapid temperature changes to prevent cracking or warping. Handle them with clean hands or cotton gloves to avoid transferring skin oils to delicate gilt decoration.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Movements
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Freshness
Online Payments
Categories