An Old Hand Carved Printing Woodblock: Beautifully Arranged Ink Stains

mid twentieth century
13 1/4" x 9 1/2" x 3/4", 33.5 cm x 24 cm x 2 cm

This beautiful object is a hand-carved wood block which would have been one of several used in creating a colorful wood block print: each of its two sides is carved in mirror image, the top and bottom of each side is identical.

The apparent, colorful design on the front of the block is stark and abstract with the front showing vermilion and greyish blotches. Under the vermilion blotches are beautifully carved kanji or Chinese characters. Under the greyish blotches are what appear to be details of an as-yet constructed image.

The reverse side shows faint muddy colored ink. Under the stain of ink are carved robes, a long one and one that is of a ceremonial type associated with the samurai class.

An enigmatic object that piques the curiosity with its visual power.

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