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lingbi
lingbi
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lingbi
lingbi
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lingbi
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linglong lingbi
linglong lingbi
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linglong lingbi
linglong lingbi
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taihu
taihu
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taihu
taihu
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taihu
taihu
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linglong ying
linglong ying
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mohu
mohu
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stone display
stone display
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山月恋
项子京研山
The Romance of Mountain and Moon
Xiang Zijing’s Yanshan
sto ne ty p e: Lingbi stone, 灵壁石 (Lingbi shi) dim ensions: 12½ × 11½ × 3½ in. (32 × 29 × 9 cm) origin: Lingbi County, Anhui Province
s tone ty p e : Lingbi stone, 灵壁石 (Lingbi shi) d i mens i on s : 12½ × 12 × 5 in. (32 × 30 × 13 cm) or i g i n: Lingbi County, Anhui Province
This Lingbi stone is a typical mountain-shaped Yanshan, which is the earliest form of Chinese scholar’s rock. With a main peak, several side peaks, holes, caves, and gullies, it is an exemplary model of a Yanshan stone. When placed on a table in a scholar’s studio, its form enables the scholar to roam, with his mind open to its scenic nature. Furnished with an original, exquisitely made red wooden base, the stone was owned by a collector in Shandong Province in the Qing dynasty (1644–1911).
Yanshan (“Ink Mountain”) is the earliest gongshi form collected, beginning in the period of Emperor Li Yu (937–978) of the Southern Tang dynasty. Originally Yanshan were mountain-shaped stones with ink basins. They were placed on desktops in scholars’ studios, more for appreciation than for practical use as inkstones. Later, all mountain-shaped stones less than around twelve inches (30 cm) in size, with or without ink basins, were called Yanshan. Xiang Zijing (1525–1590) was a noted painter and connoisseur of the Ming dynasty. This Yanshan stone fully exhibits the dynamism and diversity of a huge mountain range, with peaks, valleys, and ravines. It holds twelve scenic spots, each inscribed with a name, such as Lotus Peak, Radiant Cave, and Miraculous Sound Ravine.
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紫气东来
墨玉通灵
Propitious Purple Air from the East
Black Jade to Escort Spirit
sto ne ty p e: Calico Lingbi stone, 五彩灵壁石 (wucai Lingbi shi) dim ensions: 12 × 17 × 8¼ in. (30 × 43 × 21 cm) o rigin: Lingbi County, Anhui Province
s tone ty p e : Lingbi wen stone, 灵壁纹石 (Lingbi wen shi) d i mens i on s : 11½ × 16½ × 8 in. (29 × 42 × 20 cm) or i g i n: Lingbi County, Anhui Province
This calico Lingbi stone has different layers of color. Moreover, it possesses a graceful movement seemingly brought about by wind, similar to the “purple air” from the east of ancient legend, considered a favorable omen in China. Born of nature’s work, the hole in the middle of the lower part of the stone enhances the sense of heavenly vitality.
This nature-carved Lingbi stone is mellow and full. Rich in connotation and full of interest, the stone is pregnant with Zen (chan) implications. The arched shape seems to lay a path connecting directly to the heavens. There are many natural wrinkles (wen means “texture”) on the stone’s surface, which is pitch black and looks like jade. Lingbi wen stone has been a favorite of stone collectors in China since ancient times.
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含苞欲放
玉树开花
A Bud Ready to Burst
Jade Tree in Full Bloom
sto ne ty p e: Red Lingbi stone, 红灵壁石 (hong Lingbi shi) dim ensions: 17¼ × 9½ × 5½ in. (44 × 24 × 14 cm) origin: Lingbi County, Anhui Province
s tone ty p e : Calico Lingbi stone, 五彩灵壁石 (wucai Lingbi shi) d i mens i on s : 19¼ × 15 × 7½ in. (49 × 38 × 19 cm) or i g i n: Lingbi County, Anhui Province
This red Lingbi stone is hard, but has a beautiful and moist-looking surface. It is naturally formed, tall and upright, and has a cone-shaped hole on the lower part. The top of the stone looks like a flower beginning to burst from its bud. Lingbi stones are mainly black and gray, but there are also some that are white, red, or calico.
This naturally formed calico Lingbi stone is rare in shape and color. It possesses Lingbi stone’s characteristic hardness, yet is unique in displaying the exquisite appearance of Taihu stone. It is one of the few natural Lingbi stones that fully exhibit the stone appreciation standards of shou (thinness), zhou (wrinkles), lou (channels), and tou (openness). Full of agility, it forms the shape of a jade tree in blossom.
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少女含羞
送子观音
A Shy Girl
Guanyin Carrying a Boy
sto ne ty p e: Lingbi stone, 灵壁石 (Lingbi shi) dim ensions: 19¾ × 9 × 7 in. (50 × 23 × 18 cm) origin: Lingbi County, Anhui Province
s tone ty p e : Lingbi stone, 灵壁石 (Lingbi shi) d i mens i on s : 15 × 7 × 5½ in. (38 × 18 × 14 cm) or i g i n: Lingbi County, Anhui Province
This Lingbi stone looks as if it may have been the result of human efforts, but it is in fact a product of nature. The part that droops down resembles the head of a girl in a bashful pose, and the white coloration on the head adds further adornment to her absolute charm.
Many Chinese people worship Guanyin, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, because she is believed to be able to bring male babies to those who are pregnant. Guanyin assumed a very important position in China, an agriculturebased country in which males were emphasized, for they were the main laborers of the family and could continue the family line. This stone is a work of nature, but its form suggests someone with a baby in arms, and hence it has been given the name “Guanyin Carrying a Boy.”
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