used is generally of a relatively fine whetstone type. The earliest known inkstones date back to the Han dynasty. The production of inkstones reached its zenith in the Tang and Song dynasties with inkstones becoming extremely intricate works of art. The most highly sought-after inkstones originated in four locations in China. Duanshi stones (zh|c=端石硯|j=Dyun1 Sek6 Jin6) from Duanxi in Guangdong, She stones (歙硯) from Shexian in Anhui, Taohe stones (洮河硯) from the Tao River in South Gansu and Chengni ceramic stones (澄泥硯) which are manufactured by a process which is said to have been developed in Luoyang in Henan. Tools of the Scholar Classical scholars had more than just the Four treasures in their studies. The other "Treasures" include the brush-holder (笔架), brush-hanger (笔挂), paperweights (镇纸), the brush-rinsing pot (笔洗), and the seal (圖章) and seal-ink (印泥). For painting, Chinese pigments are also used. Gallery See also Four Gentlemen of the Year Three Friends of Winter Mirror Flower, Water Moon East Asian calligraphy styles: Chinese calligraphy Japanese calligraphy Korean calligraphy Vietnamese calligraphy References External links East Asian calligraphy Visual arts materials Chinese calligraphy 4 Four Treasures Writing implements