A very large Shoushan stone boulder

Qing dynasty, 1644–1911
Height: 12 ½ in (31.7 cm)
Width: 8 in (20.3 cm)

It is unusual to find such a large boulder of Shoushan stone, and even more so of this color that reminds us of the precious tianhuang stone. The overall shape resembles a mountain and the surface is carved in low relief with ten Buddhist Arhats, one riding an elephant, another praying on a mat, others holding bowls, and a group of three seated around a chess board, playing a game of xiangqi. The scene takes place in a rocky landscape with ribbon-tailed bird, the bird of longevity, flying in the mist, with a willow tree and a very large ancestral pine tree. Two large characters are finely carved in running script, 聲 佛 (sheng fo) translating to “Buddha’s Voice”. Another inscription is carved on one of the rocks, but this time very difficult to decipher, and which may read 九 山 龙 浮 洞 (jiu shan long fu dong), meaning “Nine mountain-dragons float through the caves”.

The Arhat is a Buddhist monk that has attained the enlightenment, and is therefore liberated from the cycle of reincarnation. Such state is achieved through monastic life and in accordance with the teaching of Buddha.

Provenance: Sydney Ashkenazie

Published: Asiantiques, Chinese Works of Art (2009), cat. no. 55

Ref. 858954

Price on request