Lot 3678. A root wood sculpture, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 87 cm., 34 1/4 in. Estimate 400,000 — 600,000 HKD. Lot sold 500,000 HKD . Photo: Sotheby's.

oriented vertically, one side with a dense array of irregular gnarled knots and nodes forming deep crevices and ridges, the extremities tapering to smaller sections of roots, the reverse left plain, the wood of dark chocolate patina, metal stand

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