18TH CENTURY

The present stand is a superb example of the highly successful combination of jet-black ebony and purple-toned zitan which gives this stand a pleasing aesthetic. By carving the rocky landscape in ebony and raising the carving on a zitan stand, the carver subtly transforms the stand into an independent work of art, in reference to large-scale scholar's rocks. The added silver-inlaid details on the zitan base make the work, even more luxurious.

Compare a related zitan stand (3.5 cm. high) carved with rockwork and lingzhi, dated to the 19th century, illustrated by P. Mak, The Art of Chinese Wooden Stands: The Songde Tang Collection, Hong Kong, 2008, pp. 244-5, pl. 85.