TISHU Scholar's Objects

A malachite specimen with intense green and black colors fitted on a wood stand. The botryoidal form was polished in the front and sides to reveal the beautiful swirling patterns and color while the back was left natural. It is displayed as a viewing stone on a fitted wood base by an American collector of Chinese scholar rocks. Known as "Peacock Rock" in Chinese, there was a more recent tradition in China (from Qing Dynasty and on) to collect the exotic gemstones such as malachite and turquoise...

A malachite rock specimen with intense green and black colors fitted on a wood stand. The gemstone in the botryoidal form was polished in all sides except one side with a fissure to reveal the beautiful swirling patterns and colors. It is displayed as a viewing stone on a fitted wood base by an American collector of Chinese scholar rocks. Known as "Peacock Rock" in Chinese, there was a more recent tradition in China (from Qing Dynasty and on) to collect the exotic gemstones such as malachite and turquoise specimen...

A malachite rock specimen with intense green and black colors fitted on a wood stand. The gemstone in the botryoidal form was polished in all sides except one side with a fissure to reveal the beautiful swirling patterns and colors. It is displayed as a viewing stone on a fitted wood base by an American collector of Chinese scholar rocks. Known as "Peacock Rock" in Chinese, there was a more recent tradition in China (from Qing Dynasty and on) to collect the exotic gemstones such as malachite and turquoise specimen...

On offer is a highly abstract scholar rock on a fitted wood stand collected by an American collector in Palm Desert, CA. The dense rock in dark grey is likely granite and takes a natural sculptural form of a bird, which explains the note on the back from the previous collector "A Constantin Brancusi Bird". The rock is presented in the tradition of a Chinese scholar rock on a fitted carved wood stand, very sculptural and visually interesting from different angles. While Chinese scholar stones are appreciated all over the world, many collectors also look into their local stone sources that reflect the same spirit and philosophy of using the viewing stone...

On offer is a large and expressive scholar rock on a fitted wood stand collected by an American collector in Palm Desert, CA circa 1980s. The deep grey boulder is likely granite and takes a wonderful natural form of a mountain peak. The dark matrix is dramatically intercepted with strokes of white veins, that looks like an abstract painting by Franz Kine. The rock is presented in the tradition of a Chinese scholar rock (Gong Shi) on a fitted carved wood stand, but it strikes the viewer as a modern and abstract version. While Chinese scholar stones are appreciated all over the world, many collectors also look into their local stone sources that reflect the same spirit and philosophy of using the viewing stone...

A Chinese scholar rock carved from a natural lapis stone and displayed on a brocade wrapped stand circa late 19th century Qing Dynasty. The brightly blue lapis was considered as am exotic gemstone in China and mostly imported from Persia through the silk road. While not a conventional rock types of materials for scholar stones, it is occasionally carved and polished into smaller Gongshi to be displayed and meditated upon in the scholar's study. Similar approaches were also done with jade, malachite and turquoise, even petrified wood, Chenxiang Agarwood, roots in spirited form, porcelain and even bronze in rock forms. The lapis was carved into a mountain form with stacked rocks...

A natural malachite rock specimen with striking green and black colors fitted on a wood stand for viewing and meditating. The gemstone has pointed and jagged surface on one side and a botryoidal form on the other side, revealing a beautiful, mottled pattern with intense colors of contrasting green and black. It is displayed as a viewing stone on a fitted wood base by an American collector of Chinese scholar rocks. Known as "Peacock Rock" in Chinese, there was a more recent tradition in China (from Qing Dynasty and on) to collect the exotic gemstones such as malachite and turquoise specimen...

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...

A natural malachite rock specimen with striking green and black colors fitted on a wood stand for viewing and meditating. The front of the gemstone features tight and small polished botryoidal form, revealing a beautiful, mottled pattern with intense colors of contrasting green and black. The back is natural with exposed malachite fibers fused in the bedrock. The slab form rock is displayed as a viewing stone on a fitted wood base by an American collector of Chinese scholar rocks. Known as "Peacock Rock" in Chinese, there was a more recent tradition in China (from Qing Dynasty and on) to collect the exotic gemstones such as malachite and turquoise specimen...

On offer is a Japanese ceramic tea bowl (chawan) used in the traditional chado ceremony. The bowl was potted in clog form with a ring foot shaved extremely low. Its size and harmonious proportion make it perfect to be held in both hands during chado. Classified as shino ware...

A modern Japanese ceramic tea bowl (chawan) made by potter Toyoda Katsuhiko (1945-). The bowl was potted in clog form with a short ring foot in the tradition of Shino ware...

A natural malachite stone on a fitted wood stand displayed as a Chinese scholar stone (Gong Shi), also known as meditation stone. The natural specimen displays...

A malachite rock specimen with intense green and black colors fitted on a wood stand and displayed as a Chinese scholar stone. The gemstone in t...

This is a beautiful 19th century Chinese brush pot made from a hardwood root. The root brush pot has natural gnarled surface with many knots and indents, the top edge is softly rou...

This beautiful pair of unusual Chinese scholar shelves is finely crafted with Chinese Northern Elmwood and finished with a black lacquer. The w...

A Korean ceramic water dropper in the shape of a mountain from late Joseon Dynasty circa 1850-1900s. The lovely piece takes a shape of a rugged mountain peak with crags and furrows, ...

A rare Japanese lacquered wood fubako decorated in Kodaiji maki-e style circa early 17th century the beginning of the Edo period, possibly early toward the end of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The rectangular, long and slim box features a deep lipped lid with slightly rounded corners, a conforming lower box with two bronze medallion rings with tasseled...

A Japanese lacquered wood Naga Fubako (a long box used to store document or large scroll painting), circa 19th century Meiji period. The rectangular box features an unusually deep lipped lid with slightly rounded corners, a conforming lower box with bronze medallion rings with tasseled...

A Japanese lacquered wood fubako (a box used to store document or small scroll painting), circa second half of 19th century late Edo period. The rectangular box features an unusually deep lipped lid with slightly rounded corners, a conforming lower box that is almost entirely covered by the lid which has two bronze medallion rings with tasseled...

A set of five carved wood print blocks from Korea circa 1900s (late Joseon to early Korean Empire period). Constructed and hand-chiseled from hardwood, the printing blocks were finel...

A natural malachite rock specimen with striking green and black colors fitted on a wood stand for viewing and meditating. The front of the gemstone features tight and small polished ...

A collection of four carved wood print blocks from Japan circa late 19th century (Meiji Period). Constructed and hand-chiseled from hardwood, the printing blocks were finely carved o...

A Japanese lacquered tea caddy (known as Natsume) with fine Maki-e decoration circa 18-19th century Edo to Meiji period. The large-sized nat...

A natural malachite boulder on a fitted wood stand displayed as a Chinese scholar stone (Gong Shi), also known as meditation stone. The natural gem specimen displays a wonderful moun...

A large malachite rock specimen with intense green and black colors fitted on a wood stand and displayed as a Chinese scholar stone. The gemstone in the vertical botryoidal form was ...

Displayed on a black custom carved wood stand, this solid malachite rock specimen with intense green and black colors functions as a Chinese scholar stone. The gemstone showcases the...

A six-panel painted folding floor screen from Korea circa early 20th century. This type of screen is called Chaekgeori (books and things) which is quite unique to Korea. It became popular at the end of 18th century favored and encouraged by King Jeongjo (1752-1800) as a political tool to promote social conservatism such as the traditional Confucianism value, especially considered important in a time when waves of new ideology influx came to Korea. Initially commissioned for the royal court, they became increasingly popular with the scholars of noble and affluent households and were used widely in their halls and studies. Early screens were painted with trompe-l’oeil bookcases displaying books and arrays of collectibles. Later, the bookcases were eliminated to focus on the assemblage of neatly stacked books and objects of scholarly pursue. On this screen, the six panels were neatly presented and framed in woven brocade borders. Among the stacked volumes, one can find many fine porcelain vases with flowers, potted orchids, pen holders with brush pens and scroll paintings, incense burner, ink stone, teapot, fan with ink painting, vessels of fruits, exotic plants such as lotus, plumeria and even a pair of glasses. It feels like a pleasant visual measure hunting for the viewers. Several words in Chinese found their way into the picture as well, including filial (xiao), longevity (shou) and luck (fu). The painting was done in a meticulous way with no details overlooked and also with a rather western still-life dimensional perspective. In a rather unusual maximal but also minimalistic way, the screen exudes a historical charm with a folky flair but appears modern at the same time. Each panel is 17.5"w by 70.2"h. For general information on the subject see reference: Chaekgeori the Power and Pleasure of Possessions in Korean Painted Screens...

A Japanese Ikebana basket woven by bamboo artist Abe Motoshi (Japanese, b. 1942). In an organic vase form with elegant, curved wall with reinfo...