Late 19th century-early 20th century, set in finely carved fitted wooden base with flowers and leaves, this rock is important special for its size and the myriad of colors naturally which occur in this one piece of nature, the rock would have been admired and meditated on as an imaginary mountain landscape that the viewer can quietly experience and walk through within their mind.

HOA: 32 in.

Private Collection, Virginia

Scholar's rocks have been collected by the Chinese for centuries and they were a way of the gentleman scholar and artist to experience the greatness of nature and meditate on it within an interior space. The rocks usually came from distant locations, some found in riverbeds. A "fantastic rock" is lauded for a combination of its geographic origin, texture and shape, and range of color. For a recent market reference see the sale entitled "Beyond White Clouds Chinese Scholar’s Rocks from a Private Collection" that took place on December 2, 2015 at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Good condition; fitted base has scratches, wear and minor loss to wood.

$500 - 1,000