Ink Slab 硯
subject: Calligraphy
description: Ink slabs originated from the grinding implements used in primitive Chinese society to grind pigment on stone. There is a lot of archeological evidence to show that ancient Chinese used ink slabs for grinding ink. A stone ink slab was found in a 5,000-year-old archaeological site in Jiazhai,Shanxi Province. In the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), ink slabs were widely used as writing utensils.
date: Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD)
format: Flat, Circular

China Seals 印章
subject: Nation, Character, Style
description: A Chinese seal (印章 yìnzhāng) is a seal or stamp used to mark important documents, pieces of art, contracts, or any other item that requires a signature.
date: Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC)
format: Prism Base
type: Craft

Chinese Jade 翡翠
description: Jade crafting were among the most precious and luxurious ones, with a history of four thousand years. Jade symbolizes merit, grace and dignity and occupies a special position in people's consciousness. It is used both to decorate rooms, and as jewelry by people hoping for a blessing. People believed that jade was the expression of the most beautiful stone.
date: Qing Dynasty (1644 AD – 1911 AD)
format: Hard, Smooth
type: Craft

Imperial Guardian Lion 石獅子
subject: Protection, Architectural Ornament
description: Chinese or Imperial guardian lions are a traditional Chinese architectural ornament.
date: Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD)
format: Man-size
type: Craft

Chinese Chess 象棋棋子
subject: Pawns, Chess, Game
description: The original chess was invented in China, right around 200 B.C., by a military commander named Hán Xin ("Hahn Sheen").
creator: Hán Xin ("Hahn Sheen")
date: ~200 BC
format: Small, Circular Disks
type: Craft

Meat-shaped Stone 肉形石
subject: Meat-like object, Stone, Jade
description: This mouth-watering chunk of stewed pork belly with a gratuitous layer of fat and glistening sheen is actually a piece of rock—jasper to be exact—that was cleverly carved and dyed to resemble a succulent piece of meat by an anonymous Qing dynasty artist in the 19th-century.
date: Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD)
relation: Meat Stone
format: Rough surface, Layered colours
type: Craft

Jadeite Cabbage 翠玉白菜
subject: Mineral, Jade, Vegetable-like objects
description: Another piece of rock that has been carved into the shape of a Chinese cabbage head. It even has two insects crawling among the leaves.
date: Late Qing Dynasty (1644 AD- 1911 AD)
format: Small, Reflective and bright colour, Smooth texture
type: Craft