Page 88 - Bonhams asian Art Knightsbridge May 2018

227

SCHOLAR’S ROCKS FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION
(LOTS 227-237)
227 Y
A TAIHU LIMESTONE SCHOLAR’S ROCK evocative silhouette might be able to see a distant mountain ridge, a
Qing Dynasty gently rising cloud or a writhing dragon within the amorphous mass.
The weathered rock resembling a rising cloud of auspicious smoke, Following the twisting, undulating surface with their eyes the observer
fitted hardwood stand; together with another scholar’s rock evoking a can further delight in the ever changing shadows and hues throughout
soaring cliff side, fitted hardwood stand. 40cm (15 3/4in) high (4). the day.

£1,000 - 1,500 When transplanted from its original location in nature, a rock sitting on
CNY8,800 - 13,000 a scholar’s desk can represent a whole world in miniature and provide
HK$11,000 - 16,000 an imaginative escape from the day-to-day drudgery of work.

Naturally weathered rocks, 供石 gongshi, were collected and Traditionally, scholar’s rocks are classed according to their
geographical origins and the most revered locations are Lingbi, in
displayed for pleasure in China since the Song Dynasty (10th-11th Anhui province, Lake Tai, in Jiangsu and Yingde, in Guangdong. As
century) and by the Ming Dynasty (14th-17th century) individual rocks well as the small specimens selected to sit on tables or in niches
were important enough to have their own portraits commissioned. indoors there are also numerous monumental boulders placed in
landscaped gardens around China, including the famous ‘Auspicious
Exceptional examples possess good shape, texture and colour, and Cloud Capped Peak’ in the Lingering Garden, Suzhou.
have resonance when struck. A viewer looking at a rock with an

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
86 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.