Chinese Drum-form Pedestal or Base

Ginkgo-like leaves under a necklace of circles.

This drum-form pedestal or base is a stone piece from Shanxi Province, China, carved in the mid-20th century. Stone drum seats and plinths are commonly seen in Chinese gardens and halls. A row of round studs rings the shoulder, while a fan-shaped, leafy motif carved below spreads across the body. The surface is cream with gray and tan tones, coarse across the top and softened by weathering, with small dark pits across the surface.

About ten inches tall and thirteen across. A heavy little thing with a calm face.