A very rare black lingbi 'mountain' censer, probably Kangxi period (1662-1722)
Lot 1233. A very rare black lingbi 'mountain' censer, probably Kangxi period (1662-1722); 14 in. (35.5 cm.) high. Estimate USD 18,000 - USD 25,000. Price realised USD 22,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2010.
The formation suggestive of three mountain peaks, the central elongated summit entirely hollowed and with numerous small perforations, the wrinkly textured, lustrous black stone with matte greyish-brown recesses, late 19th/early 20th century jichimu stand.
Literature: R.D. Mowry, Worlds Within Worlds: The Richard Rosenblum Collection of Chinese Scholars' Rocks, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 1997, p. 166.
Note: According to Robert D. Mowry in Worlds within Worlds: The Richard Rosenblum Collection of Chinese Scholars' Rocks, perforated rocks of this type, which also function as censers, were first used by the literati during the Song dynasty (960-1125). As the smoke emerged from the censer, it would have appeared as though it was mist encircling a soaring mountain. This provocative image likely served as the inspiration for the literati to employ these types of perforated hollow rocks as incense burners. The Rosenblum Collection also contains another black Lingbi censer in the form of three mountain peaks, illustrated ibid., p. 163, no. 6, where it is dated Kangxi period.
Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 16 - 17 September 2010