Lot 3641. A tree root sculpture, Qing dynasty; 33.5 by 43 cm., 13 1/4 by 16 7/8 in. Estimate 150,000 — 300,000 HKD. Lot sold 187,500 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's

he aged tree root section with deep sinuous crevasses and ridges, carefully selected for its powerful and contorted shape, resting flat in the centre and sharply curving at each end, the wood of a dark brown colour

Sotheby's. Contemporary Literati — A Gathering, Hong Kong, 07 april 2014