Let me start by saying these ink pads look absolutely stunning on my desk. The ceramic containers with dragon designs give such an authentic traditional Chinese vibe that I almost didn't want to use them - they're that pretty!

The good: The ceramic quality is solid. After several months of use, no cracks or chips. They're weighty enough to feel premium but light for easy storage. I particularly love how the red ink contrasts against the blue-and-white porcelain design - makes me feel like a proper calligrapher every time I open them.

The not-so-good: The ink itself is hit or miss. With my personal name chop, I had to press really hard and sometimes re-dip multiple times to get a clean impression. Adding a few drops of water helped revive dried patches, but it's annoying having to do this with brand new ink pads.

Practical note: The unglazed inner rim collects ink stains over time. I've taken to wiping it after each use with a damp cloth (as suggested) which keeps it looking fresh.

Final verdict? Gorgeous display pieces that work okay for casual stamping. If you need professional-grade consistency for important documents, you might want to invest in higher quality ink while keeping these as decorative containers.