A scholars object -A large dark grey Ying Shih rock with peaks and overhangs. Dark grey limestone with subtle white veining. On 18th century
A scholars object
A large dark grey Ying Shih rock
with peaks and overhangs. Dark grey limestone with subtle white
veining. On 18th century wood stand.
Qing Dynasty, 18th CENTURY
Size: 42cm high (including base)
A large dark grey Ying Shih rock
with peaks and overhangs. Dark grey limestone with subtle white
veining. On 18th century wood stand.
Qing Dynasty, 18th CENTURY
Size: 42cm high (including base)
Wen Zhgenheng 1585-1645 commented in his Zhangwu Zhi (on the things of
the world) that Ying stones were formed upside down (as stalactites)
and were cut from their matrix with a saw and therefore Ming examples
have flat bases, as has this example. Dramatic presentations of these
rocks with arching projections and precarious overhangs were introduced
in the late Ming period and became very popular in the early Qing
period.
Ying rocks are of fine-grained limestone and are typically dark grey in
colour. They came from Yingde in Central Guangdong Province, about 75
miles north of Canton (Guangzhou). The rocks were harvested from caves
and tradition maintains the best ones came from caves filled with
water, which gave them a dark and glossy surface as this example has.
Scholars and collectors would put glossy Ying stones in their studio,
whilst the dry examples were relegated to the garden.
Highly regarded Ying rocks were second only to the prized Lingby rocks
and were cherished by the traditional collectors and scholars who
regarded them as sources of peaceful contemplation and inspiration.
The old wood stand has engraved on its lotus petal foot the legend
'Strange rock' and on the flat top of the stand is engraved 'Immortal
bearing' (Ying Shihrock). It also states that the rock and its stand
entered the collection of a connoisseur on a winter day of the Jen Shen
cyclical year, corresponding to 1812 or 1872.
the world) that Ying stones were formed upside down (as stalactites)
and were cut from their matrix with a saw and therefore Ming examples
have flat bases, as has this example. Dramatic presentations of these
rocks with arching projections and precarious overhangs were introduced
in the late Ming period and became very popular in the early Qing
period.
Ying rocks are of fine-grained limestone and are typically dark grey in
colour. They came from Yingde in Central Guangdong Province, about 75
miles north of Canton (Guangzhou). The rocks were harvested from caves
and tradition maintains the best ones came from caves filled with
water, which gave them a dark and glossy surface as this example has.
Scholars and collectors would put glossy Ying stones in their studio,
whilst the dry examples were relegated to the garden.
Highly regarded Ying rocks were second only to the prized Lingby rocks
and were cherished by the traditional collectors and scholars who
regarded them as sources of peaceful contemplation and inspiration.
The old wood stand has engraved on its lotus petal foot the legend
'Strange rock' and on the flat top of the stand is engraved 'Immortal
bearing' (Ying Shihrock). It also states that the rock and its stand
entered the collection of a connoisseur on a winter day of the Jen Shen
cyclical year, corresponding to 1812 or 1872.
A scholars object -A large dark grey Ying Shih rock with peaks and overhangs. Dark grey limestone with subtle white veining. On 18th century
SOLD