Art: Sizhou inkstone carving makes impression in Guizhou

Sizhou inkstone, mostly produced in Cengong county, Guizhou province, has a history dating back of thousands of years. For serious calligraphers and painters, the quality of the inkstone is just as important as the quality of the ink that is ground inside it, as the inkstone can affect the ink’s texture. Paper, ink, brushes and inkstones — otherwise known as the four treasures of study — are the primary tools used in Chinese calligraphy and painting.