Grape-shaped Inkstone

An inkstone in a grape vine design. The case of inkstone made of wood was formed in accordance with the shape of the ink stone. The lid of the inkstone case that looks as if engulfed by a large grape leaf is also decorated with a design of a grape bundle and vine on top. Overall, the ink stone takes a form of a grape vine designed in sculptured in alto-relievo style which is almost three dimensional in structure.
Grape was long used as a symbol of fertility (子孫) and continuance of family line thanks to its abundant fruits and vines that seems to continuously stretch far and wide.