the polished ingot-shaped stone pierced and furnished with a metal fitting on one end to suspend from a rectangular wood frame 

In its archaistic colour, displayed to full effect on the restrained surface finish, and organic pattern of clouds, this chime would have perfectly complemented a scholar’s studio. It is unusual to find chimes of this form in China, as they are traditionally of chevron shape, which suggests that it may have been created for decorative purposes. One of the Eight Auspicious Emblems (babao), the stone chime (qing) is synonymous with the word 'congratulate'.

It is rare to find works of art carved from puddingstone boulders of this substantial form. The stone has been skilfully polished to a gem-like finish. For another example of puddingstone utilised in late Ming works of art, see the puddingstone top inset into a huanghuali incense table from the Dr S. Y. Yip 🔯collection, sold in these rooms, 7th Octob🌠er 2015, lot 132.