Scholar's Rock, 18th-19th century
Unknown artist, Chinaexpand_more
Ling-pi (black sparite limestone)expand_more
The Ruth Ann Dayton Chinese Room Endowment Fundexpand_more 2008.25
On View in Gallery 218expand_more
Appreciated for form, color and texture, unusual rocks represented a microcosm of the universe that Chinese scholars could meditate upon in their own studios and gardens. The most prized scholar stones such as ling-pi were of limestone so densely structured that they emitted a clear ring when struck. This stone is an excellent example of that type. When tapped, it resonates like a bronze bell.
Rocks from Ling-pi in Anhui province have been favored since the Northern Sung dynasty (960-1127) by the literati. Retrieved from subterranean quarries, these dark stones with their convoluted forms and textured surfaces, are emblematic of the great rock faced mountain ranges that have inspired Chinese landscape painters and poets for centuries. While large ling-pi stones were occasionally placed in gardens, they were mostly used indoors. Conversely, the lighter colored tai-hu rocks, with their strange perforations, were more frequently used as garden stones rather than desktop scholar's rocks.
Details
- Title
- Scholar's Rock
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2008.25
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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