A large ornate Chinese inkstone featuring designs of bats and mo 貘 (mythical elephant), within a Japanese wooden box. The Mo (獏 or 貘) is a chimera-like Chinese mythical creature, described with an elephant's trunk, rhino eyes, cow tail, and tiger paws, historically known for consuming nightmares and iron/copper. It symbolizes protection against evil, dream consumption, and, in some contexts, the exotic, often associated with the giant panda. The back of the inkstone has a Chinese modern-period poem carved in it. The box is made of a keyaki (zelkova) wood with a glossy reddish brown finish and the cover with a polychrome & gilded lacquered design of an orchid flower. Accompanied by a a signature and 2-character red name seal. Period: Japan – Shôwa Period (1926-1989) Dimensions Box: Height: 5 cm, Width: 24 cm, Depth: 28 cm. Dimensions Inkstone: Height: 2.7 cm, Width: 14 cm, Depth: 23.5 cm. The inkstone and box are in very good condition with minor traces of age. Please refer to the photos for a clear impression.