[Collection Name]: Ruan Shi's Collected Su Wu Shepherd Inkstone from the Sutra Room
 

[Historical Era]: Qing Dynasty
 

[Collection Size]: Length 18.2 cm, Width 12.2 cm, Height 2.5 cm
 

The inkstone is square in shape with a narrow edge. The shape is elegant, the lines are strong, the stone is fine and smooth, and the tentacles are dizzy, making it a great choice for literary houses. The back of the inkstone is set against the backdrop of Su Wu's virtuous shepherd, with the inscription "Portrait of Su Ziqing, a vassal state of the Han Dynasty". The characters are solemn and realistic, and the sheep behind them also have different postures, with clever ideas. The inscription on the edge reads' Collected by Ruan Shi in the Jingshu Room ', which should be a personal inkstone collected by the literary master Ruan Yuan in the Qing Dynasty.

"Suwu Shepherd" refers to the historical event that in the first year of Emperor Hanwu's Tianhan, Suwu was ordered to go to the Huns as an envoy in the capacity of Zhonglang, and then went to the North Sea to herd sheep after being detained. Su Wu stayed with the Xiongnu for nineteen years and remained steadfast in his loyalty. In the sixth year of Emperor Zhao's reign, he was released and returned to Han. After Su Wu's death, Emperor Xuan of Han listed him as one of the eleven meritorious officials of Qilin Pavilion, demonstrating his integrity.
 

Ruan Yuan
 
Ruan Yuan, also known as Boyuan, Yuntai, and Laoren, was born in Yizheng, Jiangsu. Qing dynasty Confucian scholars, exegesists, and epigraphers. Having experienced the reigns of Emperor Qianlong, Emperor Jiaqing, and Emperor Daoguang, wherever he went, he took it upon himself to promote scholarship and revitalize culture and education. He was diligent in military and political affairs and achieved remarkable results in governance. Ruan Yuan once compiled his own personal collection of writings, "The Collection of Classics", which roughly included all of his writings throughout his life. It reflects his academic views and methods in a concentrated and systematic manner.