Inkstone Case

Yeongap is a case used for storing an ink stone to protect it or to prevent the remaining ink from drying. Though similar to an ink stone table, in terms of usage, yeongap was mostly used to store an ink stone and smaller in size. The shape of yeongap varied according to that of the ink stone. Yeongap typically consisted of a body to contain the ink stone and a lid, while some had legs supporting the body. The lid was made of a wooden panel or a woodblock with edging. The edges of the lid’s reverse side were raised so that the lid could fit into the body. Yeongap was usually made of wood including zelkova wood, ginkgo wood, pinewood, black persimmon wood, quince wood, and paulownia wood. While most ink stone cases were simply varnished with oil, some were lacquered and luxuriously adorned with a mother-of-pearl inlay.