Expert’s note: This unique scholar's rock bears a striking resemblance to a lingzhi mushroom, a type of fungus that has been revered in Chinese culture for centuries as a potent symbol of immortality and longevity.

China, c. 13^th - 16^th century. The dark gray stone marbled with white, cream, and russet veins, accentuated by crevices and sharp ridges, rising from a narrow base to form a large cresting overhang with a protuberance to one side resembling a lingzhi fungus.

Provenance: From the private collection of Loyd Taylor and Paxton Gremillion, Dallas, Texas, USA. Loyd Taylor and his partner Paxton Gremillion (1941-2014) met in 1959 at the University of North Texas, where Gremillion studied concert piano and Taylor pursued design. In 1960, they opened an antiques showroom named Loyd-Paxton. Their reputation and inventory grew quickly, and soon they had clients across the globe. The couple started buying Chinese antiques in the 1970s. In 1985, the store relocated to its opulent longtime location on Dallas’ Maple Avenue. Loyd-Paxton was a candy jar of Asian and European rarities, frequented by an international jet set that included Sir Elton John. Some of their antiques made their way into Versailles and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear. The stone with a rich, weathered patina. The base with few minor scratches.

Weight: 18.3 kg
Dimensions: Height 55 cm (incl. stand), Width 43 cm

With a fitted hardwood stand dating to the 20^th century. (2)

Lingbi scholar's rocks, renowned for their extraordinary beauty and cultural significance, are natural limestone rocks formed deep underground in Lingbi County, Anhui Province, China. These unique rocks are shaped over millions of years through intense geological processes, resulting in intricate contours and textures reminiscent of miniature landscapes or abstract sculptures. Their aesthetic allure lies in their diverse shapes, ranging from mountains to intricate abstract forms, and their varying colors, which can range from dark gray to reddish-brown. These rocks are not merely geological wonders; they hold profound cultural symbolism in Chinese tradition. Highly prized by scholars and literati, Lingbi scholar's rocks are symbols of wisdom and endurance, embodying the harmonious relationship between nature and humanity. Collecting and appreciating these rocks has been a popular pursuit amongst intellectuals since the Song Dynasty.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s, Hong Kong, 29 November 2022, lot 3087
Estimate: HKD 120,000 or approx. EUR 14,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A lingbi cloud-form scholar’s rock, Qing dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and material. Note the much smaller size (22.5 cm) and later date.