Serpentine Scholar's Objects

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...

I would like to introduce some wonderful stones mined in Japan. This is probably a stone produced in Shizuoka Prefecture or Wakayama Prefecture. It is believed that the quarrying a...

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...

This is a stone mined in Japan. Not only in China but also in Japan from ancient times, rocks in the mountains have been shaved and stones for viewing have been quarried. Such stones for appreciation are collectively called "suiseki". Suiseki means "water" and "stone". The name comes from the fact that I enjoyed pouring water on the stones and changing the color of the stones. And this item is also Suiseki, but it is for viewing without splashing water. It is made with the image of a mountain view. The flow of the river...

A small desk top Chinese scholar stones (also known as Gong Shi, meditation stone and spirit rock) on a fitted display wood stand circa 19th century. This is likely a grey Lingbi type stone with subtle arch mimics a horizontal mountain range. The wrinkles and folds on the greyish black surface were perfectly weathered by elements for millenniums. Smooth and rugged at the same time, the mountain range shows a poetic formation that was often depicted in the ink scroll...

An extraordinary specimen created by nature millions of years ago, this large and stunning Chinese black chrysanthemum stone features white crystalline mineral (calcite and chalcedon...

This is a large antique calligraphic ink block. A Chinese, boxed soot ink printing stone, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Superb ...

On offer is a tall Taihu scholar rock in a mushroom-cloud form displayed on a custom carved wood stand. Wonderful and well-balanced, the stone is of an uncommon waxy deep yellow color with black and white mineral deposits 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 of nature for meditation. In China, they are also known as Gongshi ("worshipped stone") and in the west, known also as Spirit Stone...

Bamboo and wooden slips - jiandú- were the main media for writing documents in China before the widespread introduction of paper during the first two centuries AD. This substantial ...

Along with paper, ink, and inkstone, the brush was part of the four treasures found in a scholar’s studio. Arguably the most important tool, the brush served as a direct link to the ...

Along with paper, ink, and inkstone, the brush is one of the Four Treasures of the scholar’s studio. Arguably the most important tool, the brush served as a direct link to the artist...

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...