Natural Malachite Scholar Stone on Display Stand

A natural malachite stone on a fitted wood stand displayed as a Chinese scholar stone (Gong Shi), also known as meditation stone. The natural specimen displays a wonderful mountainous form with a peak in the center, organic and well balanced. The highly textured surface was not polished and full of characters due to the fibrous growth of the malachite. The boulder exhibits a dramatic deep green color, nearly pure in all surfaces and prominent surface textures.
Chinese scholars collected and cherished stones in exotic forms and textures for over a thousand years. Besides the four famous stone archetypes, they also ventured into other more exotic including malachite, which in Chinese is called "Peacock Green Stone" due to its color. Considered as a precious gemstone, malachite stones were collected as far back as 18th century and priced for their rarity.
This specimen was from the collection of an American collector Ralph Johnson. It is not clear where the origin of the malachite is, possibly Africa or American Southwest.