Ian and Susan Wilson Collection of Scholars’ Rocks by Nicholas Grindley

Ian and Susan Wilson Collection of Scholars’ Rocks by Nicholas Grindley.

We had the privilege of writing and researching, ‘The Ian and Sue Wilson Collection of Chinese Scholars’ Rocks’ catalogue as a showpiece to accompany one of the most definitive collections of Chinese rocks to appear on the public market one go. The 89 Chinese rocks in this collection, each beautifully photographed with comprehensive descriptions, were amassed by Ian Wilson over 25 years, each selected for its particular quality. 

Chinese Scholars’ rocks have been collected since the Song dynasty (960-1279), each chosen to be displayed in gardens or brought into the Scholars’ studios to be admired, painted, studied; inspiring poetry and reflection for the Chinese literati; the practice of selecting these unusual stones and rocks continuing today among collectors of Chinese art and other scholars’ objects. 

The Ian and Sue Wilson Collection of Scholars’ rocks was diverse; tall grey lingbi stones that stand over a metre tall, to delicate ying limestone miniature mountains barely 6cms high. Rock forms chosen to look like animals, landscapes, mountain ranges and waterfalls. Wonderful sounding materials including ying, lingbi, jade, lava stone, nephrite, rootwood and marble; most displayed in elegant huanghuali or hongmu wood stands carved in the 18th century to compliment the shape of the rock it housed. Some selected for the provenance – David Kidd, in Kyoto for example and others were exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, May 1st- August 1st 1999 and published in the accompanying academic publication ‘Spirit Stones of China: The Ian and Susan Wilson Collection of Chinese, Stones, Paintings and Related Scholars’ Objects’ by Stephen Little.

Sadly, Ian Wilson is no longer with us and as such his collection of rocks, and other areas of his scholarly collection has been moved on to new guardians – museums and other enthusiastic collectors are now the proud owners. We hope our catalogue captures the quality of his collection.

Published in 2009

To order a copy of this catalogue please contact the gallery

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