Posted 5 years ago
kwqd
(1184 items)
This measures 4" x 5" x 1.25" unframed. It is very nicely framed and apparently has a maker's mark carved into it. I've had this for maybe a decade and no one has ever been able identify its purpose or the maker. Some have guessed that it is a printing block but I've never seen a carved, as opposed to etched, stone printing block before. It would seem to be a difficult medium to carve into a printing block and perhaps too fragile, to boot. Not sure what type of stone this is, either. I have read that the ancient Chinese used carved stone printing blocks and seen a few images but nothing as apparently modern as this piece. The last image of the block I set to gray scale and inverted the colors to suggest what a print made from this block would look like.
I was just reading about "stone engraving" and I see a large number of websites showing work done with stone engraving machines. It's just a form of art using an engraver to etch out slabs of stone. Interesting and a great idea. I think that explains what I have out in the garage that I couldn't figure out either.
@TreasureTex - You may be right. I will investigate this.
Thanks for loving my owl art!
Watchsearcher
ho2cultcha
Newfld
TreasureTex
Thanks for loving my probably engraved stone printing block!
keramikos
vetraio50
fortapache
valentino97
bobby725
Thanks, aura!
Thank you very much Hunter!
Thank you MALKEY!
Thanks for loving my owl art Jewelryantiquelover?
Thanks iggy!
Thank you clockerman!
Thanks for stopping by Vynil33rpm!
Thank you ho2cultcha, Anik and cameoboy!
I love that !!!!!
Me too! Thanks SEAN68!
Just my thoughts, it has a Greek feel to me, maybe a tourist item??
@Mrstyndall - Thanks for your comment! I don't think it is Greek or a tourist item. I looked at a lot of Greek art and couldn't find anything in this style. It feels more Asian to me. I don't think it is a tourist item, either, as it appears to be very utilitarian, something meant to be used, not looked at. While it is in a very nice frame, if you look at the actual framing technique used, that is very crude. I have found some very similar Japanese woodblock prints. Prints made from this block are less detailed than woodblock prints, however, possibly because stone is much more difficult than wood to carve. So, I am leaning toward Asian, possibly Japanese, or influenced by that style. I think it is a tool being displayed as a piece of art.
This is so cool Kevin.
It may well be a Japanese printing block. They have great regard for owls and they are an important part of their culture. Of course there is also the wood carving, so Japan springs to mind too.
Someone else thought it was cool too, framing it like that!
Thanks for your comment, Karen. I'm glad someone thought to frame and preserve it!
Thank you Nathaniel.J!
Thanks, Jenni and vcal!