By CGTN’s Xu Zhengyin, Min-Zhui Lee

Did you know that Chinese ink comes in solid rather than liquid form? Did you know that some of these “ink sticks” can be worth more than their weight in gold?

The ink stick is one of the “Four Treasures of Study” – the four indispensable items of ancient Chinese scholars: brush, paper, ink stone and ink stick. There have been archaeological finds of Chinese ink that date back further than two millennia.

Hui ink from the historical Huizhou region in southeast China (now including parts of Anhui and Jiangxi provinces) is considered the finest in the world.

Ink stick. /CGTN Photo

Generally, ink sticks are made from combining soot with organic glue and other ingredients which act as preservatives or improve its scent.

The malleable mixture is then compressed and moulded, then trimmed and air-dried for several months, after which the sticks can be decorated.

Moulding an ink stick. /CGTN Photo

The creation of ink sticks became an art in the Qing Dynasty. They were crafted into different shapes and painted with pictures and poems, some becoming highly sought-after items.

Quality ink sticks should be lightweight but dense, easy to grind and quiet while being ground, fresh-smelling, hard and shiny like jade, and last for thousands of years.

Imagine the worth of collectible genuine antique ink sticks two millennia in the future.