Hello! I am trying to possible get some help dating this inkwell. Thank you for any help you may be able to provide!
What is it made from? How does the lid come off? Are the four holes for quill pens? In what country was it obtained? It looks very shallow, are you sure it is an inkwell?
Since it appears to be from Asia, perhaps for ink in the form of a dry cake that you drip water onto & make as you go?
Chinese characters on the "lid", so my first thought was an inkwell for Chinese calligraphy. Don't ask me how old; I just know if you threw some cake ink in there it would go right back to work.
It was obtained in the USA, I was told it was made of Jade, I am not sure what the holes are for but possibly quill. The top just lifts off. I was just told it was an inkwell but I wouldn't have cared either way, I just liked it, ha!
I have dabbled with Sumi-e painting. It is possible that small amount of water goes into the well and then the ink stick is rubbed in it to create the ink. It would not have to be for painting it could be for calligraphy. found something similar on Ebay but dead link. google Chinese Clay Calligraphy Inkwell 8 Immortal Paint Brush Writing Art . for pics. Could n't get the pic to download.
