In ancient times, paperweights were stationery items placed on desks and desks. They were made of gold, silver, copper, jade, wood, bamboo, stone, porcelain and other materials. Most of them are single pieces, and very few are paired. They form an independent piece, integrating calligraphy, painting, literature, and sculpture into one. They have always been treasures in collections. The responsibility of a paperweight is not only to hold down the paper and silk on the table, but also to be a guard who does not allow outsiders to mess with your personal belongings. Paperweight is one of the stationery utensils. It is named because its main function is to suppress the pages, paper, silk and other writing utensils to prevent them from moving. It is also called a book weight, book ruler, etc. They are mostly made of copper, jade, bamboo, wood, stone, ceramics, and crystal. They are often made into various shapes such as animal scales. Because of their different shapes and users' tastes, the specific names are also different, such as turtle turtles, gold turtles, etc. Rhinoceros, Xiao Liancheng, Qianjun Shi, etc.
When introducing paperweights, paperweights and pressure rulers are often confused. In fact, the ancients did not think so. Although the uses are in the same category, the types of instruments are different, and the names are also very different. Paperweights are mostly three-dimensional shapes of rabbits, horses, sheep, deer, toads and other animals. Paperweights are small in area but heavy in weight. Most of the paperweights are made of jade, ceramics, copper, crystal, etc. Pressure rulers generally appear in pairs, especially rectangular ones, and there are usually more pairs. Because of their ordinary form, this type of pressure ruler is mostly decorated on the surface. Some have couplets, one word and one painting, etc. engraved on a pair of pressure rulers. When the left and right sides are connected, they form a whole painting, and when separated, they can form separate pieces.
The shape of the pressure ruler is as its name suggests. It is generally made of dense and heavy wood, such as mahogany, ebony, sandalwood, etc. It was especially popular in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Generally, the pressure ruler and other tools have more practical functions than paperweights. Later generations even liked to use copper pressure rulers. Firstly, the copper material was easier to obtain, and secondly, its weight was better. The pressure rulers are usually a pair, and the craftsmanship is usually carving and inlaying. Most of them are couplets, and the content is mostly inspirational, encouraging learning, happiness and self-entertainment. As for Fangzhen and Yuanzhen, I think they should be classified into the category of pressure rulers, which are extensions and expansions of the functions of pressure rulers. Their functions are mainly tools used for copying inscriptions on inscriptions. During the enlightenment period of calligraphy, the ancients paid attention to copying first and then copying, which was more effective in mastering the structure and style of the original calligraphy. However, people today often don't know the truth, and often start from the copy and take a detour. However, the paper used by the ancients was not as transparent as it is now, and there were various auxiliary equipment. Therefore, the paper must be close to the original paper to see the stroke order and delicate details below. So square and round presses were invented to hold down the four corners of the paper. , saving a lot of effort and trouble.
Modern people call paperweights and rulers collectively paperweights. This is the result of social development, so paperweights, paperweights, rulerweights, bookweights, etc. are all collectively called paperweights.
So if your idea of ??giving away something is to cater to modern people’s opinions, then give a pair as a gift.
If it is an older generation or a person with a deeper traditional culture, the gift will be a three-dimensional one, with a small area and heavy weight (these two aspects are the most important), and the materials are mostly jade and ceramics. , copper, crystal, etc. should be given as a gift. What you are giving away is a rectangular pressure ruler with an ordinary shape. If you put more effort into surface decoration, you should give a pair as a gift.