The four inkstones refer to Duanyan inkstone in Zhaoqing, Guangdong, Taohe inkstone in Zhou Tao, Gansu, Shexian inkstone in Anhui and Chengni inkstone in Xinjiang, Shaanxi. Inkstone is a traditional handicraft with a long reputation in China. Among them, Duanyan was produced in Duanzhou in the early Tang Dynasty, hence the name Duanyan, which has a history of 1300 years. Guangdong inkstone is famous for its solid, smooth, delicate and delicate stone. Using Guangdong inkstone to grind ink is not stagnant, and it will send ink quickly. The ink developed by Guangdong inkstone Institute is smooth and smooth, and the color of handwriting remains unchanged for a long time. No matter whether it is hot in summer or cold in winter, the inkstone heart is bluish green in hand, and the moisture will not dry for a long time. Therefore, the ancients said that "ink grinds with interest."

Taohe inkstone, named after Taohe River, is a kind of inkstone with a long history, which was famous throughout the country in the Song Dynasty. Yan Taoshi is produced in Taohe, Yantao Township, zhuoni, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, China. It is a kind of water rock, also called diabase. Taohe inkstone, with its crystal clear, exquisite, beautiful and moving, silky stone patterns, rolling waves and surging clouds, has been treasured by the royal families of past dynasties and favored by literati.

She Yan is produced in Zhou She, between Huangshan Mountain and Tianmu Mountain and Baiji Mountain, including Shexian County, Xiuning County, Qimen County, yi county County and Wuyuan County. The origin of stone is the downstream of Weilong Mountain at the junction of Wuyuan and Shexian County, so Sheyan is also called Weilong inkstone, and the mountain is the origin of most surviving stone. In addition, Shexian, Xiuning, Qimen and other counties also produce inkstones.

Cheng Ni inkstone began in Han Dynasty and flourished in Tang and Song Dynasties, with a history of more than 1000 years. Due to the processing and firing of special cement, the firing process and time of Cheng Ni inkstone are different. Some inkstones are multi-colored, paying special attention to carving techniques, such as relief, half-tire, three-dimensional and transparent.