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Laoshan Mountain Scholar's Stone browse these categories for related items... Directory: Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese: Pre 1910: item # 279665 Please refer to our stock # 60-97 when inquiring.
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| The exceptionally fine base on this scholar's stone suggests how highly the stone was revered. It is a type of rock found on Laoshan Mountain, near the coast in Shandong Province, Eastern China. Chinese scholars, who recognized the aesthetic and spiritual qualities of particular rocks, began nearly 1000 years ago during the Sung Dynasty to commission appropriate pedestals in order to display and contemplate their favorite stones in their studios. Scholars' rocks represented nature, the world in miniature and were said to sometimes provide visions into the realm of the Taoist immortals. Laoshan, where this type of grey/green rock was found, was and still is home to many Taoist monasteries and legends concerning the Taoist immortals. The particular shape of this rock likely evoked a specific Laoshan cliff, perhaps thought to be the home of one of the immortals. A careful look at the base in the area immediately adjacent to the rock reveals that it is carved in smooth waves to represent a river that flows outward over rock and roots, with swirling eddies carefully carved where the water meets boulders. The base provides perfect support and balance for the heavy "cliff" represented by the lustrous, white-veined rock. Because bases were deemed critically important aspects of scholars' rocks, creating carvings that enhanced the stones and pleased the scholars required special artisans. On the pairing shown here, the Laoshan cliff and its base have eight distinctly different viewing angles (see photo enlargements). Collectible scholars' rocks, because they are generally dated to the time when, it is believed or estimated, a rock was first appreciated as a "work of art," obviously are difficult to date with accuracy. We have dated this one to the late Qing period based on pedestal carving and rock type, as the provenance is lost in time. It is a magnificent and magical piece. Dimensions including the base: height 17" (43 cm), width 8 1/2" (22 cm), depth 5 1/2" (14 cm). | |||||||||||||||
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