GJPaw Auctions is very pleased to offer a rare antique Chinese Yingde stone Gongshi or Scholars' Rock. The word gong means "spirit" and shi "stone." The Chinese interest in collecting rocks for religious or aesthetic purposes has been traced back to the Han dynasty (206 B.C. - 220 A.D.) when connoisseurs began using large stones to decorate their gardens and courtyards. The interest developed from an appreciation of the larger garden rocks, but the smaller size enabled them to be carried indoors where they could be used for the purposes of meditation, being appreciated for their dramatic form and texture or the feelings they evoked from the viewer. Gongshi can be loosely divided into two general categories: abstract and representational.  Abstract stones are commonly called “Scholar’s Rocks”.  This extraordinary example was clearly appreciated for the abstract qualities of the form, which are at once both dramatic and poignant. It is formed from Yingde stone or more commonly "chime stone", from Yingde City, Quandong Province, China. If you flick it with your finger it sounds like you’re tapping metal. It has a distinct resonance, altogether different than the thud one would expect from stone. But that’s only part of what makes it exceptional. Its size is also extremely rare. The rock measures 26 inches in width by 7 inches in depth by 14 inches in height (66.0 cm by 17.7 cm by 35.5 cm) and is mounted on a fitted base hand-carved from hard wood. The age of this unique piece is indeterminate; however, the base has the appearance and patina of an antique and the intrinsic qualities of this individual rock makes it highly desirable to collectors and aficionados alike. It is guaranteed authentic and was collected in China many years ago. It would be a terrific addition to any collection of Chinese antiques and art as well as scholar's objects in general.

  GJPaw Auctions has been in the Art business for over 25 years and is now expanding its operation to eBay.  Our goal is to bring the same experience and excitement of collecting that we have been delivering in-person to collectors across the globe at Primitive in Chicago.  Every object we sell online has been carefully hand-selected with special attention to detail, quality, and significance. We ship worldwide. Add GJPaw to Sellers you Follow and please take a moment to look at our other auction items.

A1506-057