Until 31st Mar, 2025
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A LARGE TAIHU SCHOLAR’S ROCK, QING DYNASTY
Lot 109 - HS1224
China, 1644-1912. Of irregular form with protrusions and deep crevasses as well as reticulation. The porous stone of a distinct yellow-beige color, and unctuous feel overall.
Provenance: Dutch private collection.
Condition: Very good condition, with minor wear, minor signs of weathering and erosion, few natural fissures, minute nicks, and light scratches. The stand with few minor natural age cracks, small nicks, and light scratches.
Weight: 20.2 kg (excl. base), 23.4 kg (incl. base)
Dimensions: Height 53 cm (excl. base), 66 cm (incl. base)
With a fitted hardwood stand, supported on five cabriole legs and finely carved to resemble rockwork. (2)
This rock is a fine representation of the ‘tou’ quality, openness or holes, one of the few fundamental qualities prized in a scholar’s rock. This is further explained by Richard Rosenblum in his essay in Robert D. Mowry’s Worlds Within Worlds: The Richard Rosenblum Collection of Scholars’ Rocks, Harvard University Art Museums, 1996, pp. 117-18, where he writes in reference to Taihu rocks, “the holes within holes of these rocks give the experience of infinity” and “varying in size and orientation, these holes create the sensation of an ever-changing and infinite world within a finite object.”
Taihu or porous stone is a kind of limestone produced at the foot of Dongting Mountain in Suzhou, which is close to Lake Tai. Due to long-term surging by water, this kind of rock features many pores and holes of various depths and sizes.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 17 September 2010, lot 1232
Price: USD 25,000 or approx. EUR 33,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large scholar's rock
Expert remark: Compare the related color and form of the stone. Note the size (97 cm).
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