Stunning Pair of Red and Black Chinese Taihu Infinity Scholar Stones

This Chinese extraordinary natural marble stone painting of a mountain range in green and white colors is called a dream stone Shih-hua. It is a huge monumental masterwork of nature. Totally natural. Dimensions: Hardwood frame: 62 inches tall and 88.5 inches length Site: 54 inches tall and 80.5 inches length This marble stone painting is approximately 3/8 inch thick and is cut from a large slab of rough material revealing a unique, incredible pattern in soft green and white colors. This unique work of art was from historic Dali marble found in the Cangshan mountains of western China. These mysterious mountains, unique in the world, are known for yielding incredible and fantastic natural landscaped works of art created over tens of millions of years from mineral inclusions that affected the process of ancient organic material which transformed into limestone and finally resulted in marble- a metamorphic hard stone. This art form is centuries of years old since the Ming dynasty. Dream stones became favored art in the west particularly since the 19th century when French collectors named them Pierres de reve. History of Green Flower dream stone paintings...

China, an authentic antique hand-carved and hand-painted limestone temple figure of the venerable lohan, Kasyapa. This beautiful Buddhist sculpture will bring serenity and timeless style to your home, office, sacred space, or garden Substantial dimensions: 35 inches high and 12 inches wide Handmade and hand-carved, solid limestone with weathered remnants of older temple paint as applied by the temple from where it originally came, Chengdu, China. Head and hands are later replacements. Stone statues like these were regularly - refreshed- by the temple monks. In our extensive travels to western china we saw many instances of old stone figures like this with varying degrees of paint refreshing, ,replacement of heads as this one, and periodic refreshment by the temple monks to maintain a seemingly new appearance. Please note the offering cavity on his back side- undoubtedly used by patrons to place offering scripts or perhaps food as a sign of respect and veneration. This enjoyable character would make a fine garden presentation or special indoor choice. Only one. Provenance: Originally from a collector in Chengdu, China, acquired by us directly from this collection around 2002 on one of our many visits to that part of historic China. About Kasyapa: Kasyapa is a revered Vedic sage of Hinduism. He was one of the seven ancient sages considered as Saptarishis in Sanskrit texts and Indian mythologies. He is the most ancient rishi listed in the colophon verse in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and called a self-made scholar in the Atharvaveda. He was based in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, and legends attribute the region of Kashmir to be derived from his name. One of the more frequently depicted lohans in Chinese sculpture is Kasyapa, a cousin to the Buddha. Throughout Six dynasties...

China antique monumental Pagoda Shrine with carved Lohans, 115" high, red sandstone, eight sections, Qing dynasty (1644-1911) This stone pagoda is a monumental work of art seldom seen in the west. Pagodas evolved from Indian stupas which were originally designed to hold the Buddha’s relics and textual paper sutras. This tiered tower composition became popular all over Asia and its architectural form differed from region to region. In China, its origins date to Buddhist missionaries who traveled the Silk Road. Early examples were built in temples but by the 13th century they were found outside the temple complex. Oldest examples had simple round or square bases and then later octagonal or more stylistic forms like the “censer” type of base on this pagoda. The 18 Arhats (lohans) portray Buddha’s messengers and each Lohan cylindrical tier is unique. This tour de force could serve as the centerpiece in the finest indoor space, or private or public Chinese or Asian inspired garden or Buddhist art collection. Photographs taken in natural light. Provenance: Private New England Collection acquired in 2005 in China from private collection Cheng Du, Sichuan Province. About Pagodas: Chinese pagoda towers...

Best In Class From our recent Japanese acquisitions travels. This unusual hard to find old Japanese red kurama stone lantern is known as an Obakedouro "Spirit lantern...

Here's one of the most beautiful Chinese antiques we have ever found in our travels in China over the past three decades. This is a one-of-a-kind antique sandstone lintel which when installed and displayed could be a handsome addition to your decor. It dates to the 18th century of the Qing dynasty. It still retains remnants of its original poly chrome surfaces. The carving and detail is deep and very fine. Depicted are a pair of writhing dragons competing for the fabled -wish granting jewel- and possibly water waves beneath- all auspicious signs. Dimensions: 13 inches high and 71 inches wide and 14 inches deep Photographs taken in natural light in our garden. Rare work of art. Provenance: originally found in Chengdu Province and has been part of family collection since its acquisition in 2004. Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. We are members of NAJGA- North American Japanese Garden...

China, a carved antique stone Penjing or painting form garden table, middle Qing dynasty (1644-1911), limestone, three pieces Dimensions: 34 inches high and 55 inches long and 16 in...

An elegant Taihu scholar rock balanced on a custom wood stand, in a mushroom cloud form and full of grottoes. The weather-smoothed surface is of grayish...

A Chinese Gongshi (known as meditation stone or spirit stone) from Taihu (Lake Tai) balanced on display stand. This scholar rock features a relatively rar...

A Chinese scholar stone in an upright mushroom form displayed on a custom wood stand. Wonderful and well-balanced, the ocher and cream color ston...

This pair of limestone Fu dogs once protected a grand courtyard home in 19th century, China. Skilfully carved in attentive postures, the lion-like dogs are “shizi,” symbols of power ...

Taihu stones are naturally occurring limestone rocks native to Lake Tai in Jiangsu Province, China. They are revered as scholars' rocks and meditation ston...

On offer is an upright tall Taihu scholar rock in a mushroom-cloud form displayed on a custom wood stand. Wonderful and well-balanced, the stone is of an uncommon waxy deep yellow color with black and white deposit marks nicely mixed into the texture. Being exposed to the flowing water for millennium, the surface has been polished and weathered, and is now mostly smooth yet still maintains some slightly rugged edges and points at places. Many grottoes puncture and permeate the piece, interlinking and window-like, creating interesting positive and negative spaces for a meditative mind. A remarkable work of art created by mother nature. Stones such as this from Taihu lake was among the four famous stones since ancient time in China. They have been collected and prized by Chinese scholars since Tang dynasty when using them in garden came in vogue. Later on, smaller pieces like this one were displayed in the scholar's private study serving as a mini form...