Lotus Ink Dish — Ceramic, Doubles as a Brush Rest

The Dish That Does Three Jobs — Calligraphers keep an ink dish within reach of the elbow: a drop of ink for small work, a parking spot for the wet brush, and — pressed into duty — a brush rest. This lotus dish handles all three without pretending to be more than it is.

What You Get

• Ceramic lotus ink dish diameter ~8.6–8.9cm

• Glazed ceramic, lotus petal form; also available as koi, peony, and starry-blue variants

• Weight approx. 1000 g

• Doubles as a water dish for touching a wet brush

Why a Dish, Not a Bottle

Bottled ink is convenient until you need just two drops. A dish lets you pour exactly what the work needs, thin it with water to taste, and see the ink's true tone before it touches paper. In small-character calligraphy, that quick check separates a clean line from a mistake.

The Lotus Shape Does Work

The raised petal rim gives the wet brush a place to rest without sliding, and the shallow bowl holds just enough water for rinsing the tip mid-session. Form here is no empty ornament; it follows function.

How to Use

Pour a coin-sized pool of ink. Rest the brush on the rim between strokes. Add a drop of water to mix softer grey tones. When you finish writing, rinse and wipe away residue — dried ink lifts easily from glazed ceramic with a short soak and soft sponge.

Care

Hand wash only. Not dishwasher-safe, not microwave-safe. Do not use harsh abrasive cleaners on the glaze.

Pairs With

Our pine-soot ink stick, stone seal, and brush rest: a compact scholar’s corner for your desk.