Description:

East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th century or earlier CE. A large "gongshi," also known as a scholar's rock or scholar's stone, standing upright on a wooden pedestal with a naturally craggy and chiseled profile. This rock was displayed for its striking appearance, shaped by water, wind, and time. The resonance and texture were also considered when selecting a gongshi to display; indeed, this rock produces a pleasant metallic clinking sound when lightly tapped. Gongshi are part of the Chinese tradition of venerating beautiful stones that dates back thousands of years, butvenerating gongshi emerged during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 CE) and became a sophisticated cultural phenomenon during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279 CE) when Chinese artists and writers composed essays and catalogues dedicated to rocks. A scholar would have displayed this example in his studio for contemplation, allowing him and other members of the literati to appreciate its contours. Size: 8" L x 6.5" W x 15" H (20.3 cm x 16.5 cm x 38.1 cm); 19.75" H (50.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection

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#190030

    Condition:
  • Stone has natural niches and surface pitting and wear from erosion. Chips and abrasions along the lip of the base cupping the stone. Some chips on the carved wood.

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November 15, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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