Object Description
An highly unusual large carved stone sculpture of a Chinese scholars boulder or rock, displayed on a custom integral wooden base.
This late 19th century piece is an impressive depiction of the mountainous landscape conquered by the late Qing Dynasty in ancient China.
The dynasty was a multi-ethnic empire and by the eighteenth century it ruled over a vast territory, from Mongolia to Tibet to Xinjiang in Central Asia.
Also known as gongshi or spirit stones, a scholars rock is a traditional feature of Chinese gardens and studies, carved from natural occurring or shaped rocks.
Scholars were often brought rocks from far away lands, with the finest coming from mountains and riverbeds, but the very best from Lingbi, in the northern Anhui provenance of China.
The exceptional details of this carved boulder showcase a striking sculptural quality in an impressive scale; the perfect piece for displaying pride of place on a sideboard or garden table in traditional and contemporary settings alike.