A Korean ink stone for use to grind ink for calligraphy or painting. The ink stone (Korean: byeoru) depicting a Buddhist motif of a urn holding a fly whisk and ruyi scepter (Korean: yeo ui). These two implements are often shown being held by a Buddhist priest or diety. The scepter because of its original Chinese homonym is a symbol of granting one's wishes, or to grant all one's desires. The fly whisk (Korean: bulja) represents the Buddhist desire of symbolic "sweeping" of ignorance and earthly desires. The body of the urn forming the ink stick grinding surface, and the urn's opening as a the water reservoir. 19th century 4¾” x 3½" x 3/4" thick
