Chinese GONGSHI OR Scholar's Rock

Mustard yellow and crinkled like orange peel, it sits on its stand like a small mountain at sunset.

This gongshi or scholar's rock comes from Guangxi, China, in yellow wax stone with a hardwood stand. Chinese scholars have long kept naturally shaped stones in their studios, admired for suggesting mountains and whole landscapes in miniature. The rock has a rounded, uneven profile and a pitted, wrinkled skin in deep yellow, darkening to orange and brown along its fissures. A dark carved hardwood base holds it in a fitted oval rim, raised on scrolled feet. It is 10.75 inches wide, 5 deep and 10 high.

A mountain for the desk, no climbing required.