Chinese Scholar's Rock

A grey stone bird bows its head over a tumble of folded rock.

This scholar's rock comes from Yunnan Province, China, and is stone and hardwood. Scholar's rocks have been displayed in Chinese studies for centuries, admired for forms that suggest creatures, peaks or clouds, and are usually left as nature shaped them. This tall, twisting rock in soft grey rises from a narrow stem to a broad head. A pierced hollow and a curved beak-like point near the top suggest a bird turning to look back. Fine white veins thread across the surface. It stands in a lobed black hardwood stand on scrolled feet. It is 5.5 inches wide, 3 deep and 11.25 high.

A bird in stone, holding very still.