The duan stone comes from the area around the Duanxi River in Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province. It has a fine-grained body and smooth surface. They are also prized for the unique natural features such as 'green spots' or 'stone eyes'. The beauty of the duan inkstone is often derived from the successful combination of the decoration and the natural stone markings. For centuries, duan inkstones have been regarded as the finest inkstones of all.The stone could have been mined from Laokeng. It is carved in the form of a leaf with a 'chi' dragon near the stalk of the leaf. Gold and silver streaks are visible, running from the decoration to the ink pool. Inkstones are not only prized for the stone and its decoration, but also for its accompanying box. The custom-made box for this inkstone is made from 'zitan', the most prized of all tropical hardwood.
