During the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, copper boxes were also made, and a thin layer of inkstone was embedded in the box cover for ink study. Absorbent substances such as silk cotton and cotton are put in the bottom of the box, and ink is poured on it.
Copper boxes are square, rectangular, round and oval, and there are many pictures depicting them, some of which are masterpieces of calligraphy and painting inscribed by celebrities.