The naturally weathered rock with various holes, niches and overhangs, all forming a elegant mountain side rising from a small base to a wide top, carved hard wood stand. Including stand: 47cm (18 1/2in) high (2).

Note: As far back as the Song Dynasty naturally weathered rocks were collected and displayed for pleasure and by the 17th century individual rocks were important and respected enough to have portraits commissioned. Exceptional examples possess good shape, texture and colour, and have resonance when struck. Given these qualities a viewer can admire the strength of outline, perhaps seeing a mountain ridge or a rising cloud within the amorphous mass, and delight in following the twisting, undulating surface texture with their eyes. Transplanted from its original location where it was hewn by nature over thousands of years, a rock sitting on a hard-working scholar's desk can represent a whole world in miniature and allow the viewer's imagination to run. Rocks are classed according to their origin and the most revered locations are Lingbi, in Anhui province, Lake Tai, in Jiangsu and Yingde, in Guangdong. As well as small table top specimens there are numerous monumental boulders in gardens around China, including 'The Auspicious Cloud Capped Peak' in the Lingering Garden in Suzhou.

Bonhams. AUCTION 23541: ASIAN ART, 10:30 BST - LONDON, KNIGHTSBRIDGE