Chinese Gongshi or Scholar's Rock, Based

A gray-green river runs down the middle of it and goes nowhere.

This gongshi, or scholar's rock, comes from China. It is stone, mounted on a base, and of indeterminate age. Rocks like this were chosen for shape and surface, set on stands, and kept in a Chinese scholar's studio as objects for quiet looking. Two rounded tan humps rise on either side of a broad gray-green band, with fine pale lines crossing the surface. A dark stepped base follows the contour of the stone. It stands 14.5 inches high and 11.25 wide.

Nothing happens. That was the point.