A 'YING' SCHOLAR'S ROCK MING – QING DYNASTY

skilfully wrought to stand on three main points with jagged edges, the uneven surface of the grey stone pitted with cavernous recesses and and highlighted with thin white veins and a prominent horizontal creamy-white streak, wood stand

Good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Rock sculptures for the scholar's studio have been admired and collected as early as the Song dynasty, as evident from the famous manual on ornamental rocks, the Suyuan Shipu (Su Yuan's Compendium of Ornamental Rocks) compiled in 1613 by the Ming dynasty scholar-collector Lin Youlin. The Suyuan Shipu contains woodblock illustrations of sixty-five scholar's rocks, supposedly from the collection of the Huizong emperor (r. 1100-1126) of the Song dynasty. Upon its publication, it became the classic reference work for the appreciation of natural stones that gave much delight to their owners. The present rock is delightful for its delicate small size and naturalistic quirky shape. It would have been placed on a scholar's desk to give inspiration and pleasure while its owner contemplated on aspects of life and nature. It is aesthetically pleasing and also small enough to be help in one's palm. A similar 'ying' scholar's rock, illustrated in When Men and Mountains Meet: Chinese and Japanese Spirit Rocks, London, 1995, cat. no. 18, was sold in our New York rooms, 17th March 2009, lot 57.