Antique Chinese Scholars Stone

Scholar's stones, or gōngshí, are called as such for scholars' appreciation of the stone's unusual shapes, textures, asymmetry, glossiness, color patterns, and even the sound it makes when struck. It is a gorgeous and contemplative viewing piece.

Scholars’ rocks were “favored stones that the Chinese literati and their followers displayed and appreciated indoors, in the rarefied atmosphere of their studios.

Scholar’s rock acted as a microcosm of the universe—a small piece of an infinite, natural puzzle—an object on which to meditate and to gain cosmic perspective.³ They would be displayed indoors on a desk, on a table or bookshelf, or perhaps on the floor if they were especially large. Traditionally, a scholar displayed his choice rock on a finely carved wooden stand, both to support the irregular form, and to designate the rock as a special item, like a piece of sculpture.

Credit to: Jeffrey Carlson, Seattle Art Museum Collections Coordinator Height: 11.5" Width: 13"