Chinese Carved Lapis Lazuli Scholar Stone

A Chinese scholar rock carved from a natural lapis stone and displayed on a brocade wrapped stand circa late 19th century Qing Dynasty. The brightly blue lapis was considered as am exotic gemstone in China and mostly imported from Persia through the silk road. While not a conventional rock types of materials for scholar stones, it is occasionally carved and polished into smaller Gongshi to be displayed and meditated upon in the scholar's study. Similar approaches were also done with jade, malachite and turquoise, even petrified wood, Chenxiang Agarwood, roots in spirited form, porcelain and even bronze in rock forms.
The lapis was carved into a mountain form with stacked rocks leading to a well-balanced single peak. In addition to the landscape textures, miniature groves of pines tress were also carved to add a naturalistic touch to the work. The stone was fitted into a wood stand that is covered with brocade and designated to the scholar's desk or shelf in a fine study.