Turtle Ink Box

This is a beautiful clay turtle. This wonderful 5" ink dish is the perfect calligraphy ink stone. The shell lifts off to expose an ink tray. Also can be used as a great little trinket box

The most common ink recipes were for carbon inks. The recipe itself is of lamp-black or other pigments, gum, and water. In 1857, aniline dyes for paints and inks were developed because pen companies were having problems finding ink colors and pigments to suit their own pens. People liked them better because they were less corrosive than carbon inks. Now, in modern times, the rule for calligraphy inks is to avoid waterproof inks, unless a waterproof ink is required. Waterproof inks are thick and fibrous, and clog the pen. A good calligraphy ink should flow freely with no spread, dry quickly, and be stable when it dries.

Stick ink is a favorite calligraphy ink that comes in a solid form. It is mixed with distilled water or boiled with tap water to become usable. It is favored because the calligrapher can get the precise density and texture of ink needed. Stick ink comes with a box which can be used as a container for dry ink (wet ink flakes in storage) or a rubbing surface. You can also add color or gum to perfect the texture and color to your liking.