A Blachia siamensis Bonsai

Penjing literally translates to 'tray  landscape'; it refers to the art of re-creating, or rather creating, a miniature landscape ('jing') in the eponymous 'pen'.  The cultivation of bonsai in Japan is perhaps more well-known than that of penjing, but in fact has its roots deeply stemmed in the latter. 

The acquisition of scholars' rocks as collectibles began to flourish in the Song dynasty, and as shown in the other lots in this sale, this practice was largely prompted by the scholars' fascination with the Taoist conception of aesthetics and nature; undeniably, the tenets of Zen Buddhism and Confucianism also took part in shaping this pursuit to emulate and, to metaphysically immerse into nature.  By virtue of Richard Rosenblum's research and collection, scholars' rocks have made a revival in the modern art world.  It is worth noting that the earliest documentation of the display of small rocks in China, in fact, dates back to the Tang dynasty in the practice of penjing.  Akin to scholars' rocks, the appreciation of penjing flourished in the Song dynasty, and extended through and beyond the Qing dynasty.

Literati style bonsai trees are characterized for its appearance of twists and turns, bending in every possible way to compete for sunlight against nature and man. The present lot's struggling stance yet healthy foliage is exemplary of the aesthetic of the literati style bonsai.