Chinese GONGSHI OR Scholar's Rock

Ribbons of amber and brown run across this stone like layers of a canyon wall.

This gongshi or scholar's rock comes from Guangxi, China, and is yellow wax, stone and hardwood. Guangxi is well known for yellow wax stone, a dense, smooth material whose honeyed color and soft shine have made it a favorite of Chinese collectors. This piece is an upright, tilted slab with rounded edges. Fine banding in ochre, cream and brown runs diagonally across the surface, crossed by a few dark fissures. It rests in a lobed, dark hardwood stand on short feet. It is 6.5 inches wide, 3.5 deep and 8 high.

Geology, framed and set on the desk.