Beautiful Group of Three Graduated Aragonite Scholar’s Rocks

View Similar Items

Antique Chinese Gongshi (Scholar’s Rock)

Old Japanese Scholar's Stone / Beautiful Appreciation Stone/Natural Stone

Chinese Gray Scholar's Rock

A Framed Group of Five Chinese Dali Marble Scholar’s Stones, Late Qing Period

Antique Chinese Elaborately Carved Scholar’s Bench

Chinese Painted Soapstone Scholar's Rock Sculpture

Beast Japanese abstract suiseki scholar's stone

19th Century Pair of Chinese Scholar's Carved Bamboo Brush Pots Brass

Chinese Carved Hardwood Scholar's Tray, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century, China

Chinese Late Qing Dynasty Elm Scholar's Table with Custom Lacquer Finish

Chinese 19th Century Dengguayi Scholar's Lamp-Hanger Armchair with Sinuous Splat

Rare Chinese Yellow & White Gongshi Scholar's Stone Golden Cabbage On Stand 20c

1 of 10

Beautiful Group of Three Graduated Aragonite Scholar’s Rocks

About the Item

The graduated group of three aragonite, possibly zibowen, scholar's rocks or viewing stones, as representations of jagged mountain ranges showing peaks and furrows, each of crystalized calcium carbonate orange-hued stone of botryoidal form and vertical orientation, freestanding and more than likely surviving from the 19th century. The specimens are in fair to good order given their brittleness and age with a good amount of deposit patination garnered over time with white calcitic veining. There is some expected losses to the extremities to the tops of each and they are brittle so should be handled with care to avoid any other loss. The bases have a wax resin seal to them. Aragonite is a mineral consisting of calcium carbonate and typically occurring as colourless prisms in deposits from hot springs. Because of their structure, they send light out in a variety of different directions, to create an outcome of heightened light and energy in their surroundings. It is possible that these stones are of Zibowen stone, found in Zibo, in the Shandong province. They are decayed rocks composed of lime, granite or clay stone and aesthetically wen rocks have a naturalness and antique simplicity. They have a weathered look with dots or crossing lines on the surface and a variety of wrinkled forms. Among this type are aragonite rocks such as these which are usually very hard and brittle. Wen rocks portray a feeling of “pu”; they may relieve anger and resentment, and they are known to help you if you have anxiety, stress or other negative emotional feelings. Leading expert Robert D. Mowry, who is Harvard Art Museum’s Curator Emeritus describes scholar’s rocks as ‘favoured stones that the Chinese literati displayed in the rarefied atmosphere of their studios’. In the Tang dynasty, a set of four important qualities for the rocks was recognised. They are: thinness (shou), openness (tou), perforations (lou), and wrinkling (zhou). In these examples we see the dramatic crevices and sharp ridges accentuating the beautifully textured surface with characteristic small hollows. The typical Chinese scholar drew inspiration from the natural world; he did not go out into nature to paint or compose poetry, rather, he worked within the seclusion of his studio and used these ‘representations of mountains’ (very much like these examples) as inspiration for his work. The rocks were often brought to the scholars from remote places, the finest coming from riverbeds or mountains. Some of the most prized examples came from Lingbi, in the northern Anhui provenance of China. From as early as the Neolithic period — nearly 7,000 years ago — prized stones and jade have been found buried in tombs. However it was not until the late Tang dynasty (618-907) that scholar’s rocks were collected in earnest. “If the rock does not seem like a painting by the powers of nature, then you shouldn’t choose it.” We feel these certainly do; glinting at every turn, truly beautiful. No.1: 8.75” x 5”. No.2: 10.75” x 6.5”. No.3: 13.5” x 4.5” (all at extremities).

Dimensions:
Height: 13.5 in (34.29 cm)Width: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 3
Style:
Qing (Of the Period)
Place of Origin:
China
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1800-1900
Condition:
Minor losses. Please see description for full condition report and photographs for visual reference.
Seller Location:
Bedford, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: scholar's rocks1stDibs: LU194434913413