Lingbi scholar’s rock

A finely balanced limestone miniature rock formation of diagonal form with two “plateaux” extending from a small base.  The rock supported on a small, carved wood stand, which is original.  The material is of a dark grey, almost black tone and has some pale grey striations.

In China, Chinese Scholars’ Rocks or Spirit Stones are called Gongshi, naturally formed or “sculptured” stones in surprising shapes and textures.  Gongshi have been appreciated by Chinese connoisseurs for more than a thousand years. As early as the Tang dynasty (618-907) scholar-officials and persons of refined tastes began appreciating their unusual forms by placing smaller sized rare rocks in their studios for indoor viewing. To Chinese scholars, these rocks represent a focus for meditation of religious or philosophic principles and serve for contemplation prior to writing poems or painting.  Lingbi County, where this rock is from, is a county in the north of Anhui Province, bordering Jiangsu province to the north and northeast. It is under the administration of Suzhou city.  Scholar’s stones are generally karstic limestone.

Provenance:
The collection of Paul Bromberg, Bangkok and Hong Kong.

清/灵璧石摆件

此石古意盎然，形态奇骇，质地黝黑，包浆厚重，表面多褶皱，似皴墨而成。观正面，上大下小，形似险峰，其中山峦起伏，引人游目，如入夏山。

来源: Paul Bromberg 旧藏