Chinese Picture Stone

A dark peak rises out of grey mist, with a moon-pale sky above it.

This picture stone comes from Guangxi, China. Polished stones whose veining suggests mountains and clouds have long been treasured in China, displayed in the spirit of ink landscape painting. This tall square block is mostly cool grey with drifting darker clouds. Near the bottom, a jagged black and ochre form climbs to a sharp point, like a mountain peak or a sail. Pale streaks swirl across it like spray. It rests in a fitted dark wood stand with cutout feet. It is 3.25 inches wide, 3.25 deep and 7.75 high.

An ink painting, minus the ink, the brush and the painter.