A large and dramatic Gongshi or spirit stone gracefully balanced in a hand-carved stand from the Qing Dynasty. The reddish stone with crystalline inclusions and pronounced wrinkled surface textures, is of the Lingbi type, one of the four famous ancient stones from China. A limestone in essence, Lingbi originate and are collected from Lingbi, Anhui Province. Well balanced with a pleasant overall smooth texture. Often depicted in traditional Chinese paintings and scrolls, this Lingbi presents beautifully and would be a striking accent or excellent focus for meditation.
Scholar stones are prized by collectors for their four qualities: shou (thinness), zhou (wrinkles), lou (hollowness), and tou (transparency). The history of collecting and appreciating interesting stones among the literati in China began as early as the 13th century in the Yuan Dynasty. These stones were highly prized for their form and shape, which are believed to contain the spirit of nature. They were displayed in the scholar's studio for meditation.
