Editing Inkstone (section)

=== Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasties ===
[[File:Tang Inkstone (9948272575).jpg|thumb|Inkstone, [[Tang dynasty]]]]
Stimulated by the social economy and culture, the demand for inkstones increased during the [[Tang dynasty]] (618–905) and reached its height in the [[Song dynasty]] (960–1279). Song dynasty inkstones can be of great size and often display a delicacy of carving. Song dynasty inkstones can also exhibit a roughness in their finishing. Dragon designs of the period often reveal an almost humorous rendition; the dragons often seem to smile. From the subsequent Yuan dynasty, in contrast, dragons display a ferocious appearance. 
[[File:Inkstone with phoenix design (front).jpg|left|thumb|Inkstone with phoenix design, attributed to Qing dynasty artisan [[Gu Erniang]]]]