A malachite specimen with intense green and black colors fitted on a wood stand. The botryoidal form was polished in the front and sides to reveal the beautiful swirling patterns and color while the back was left natural. It is displayed as a viewing stone on a fitted wood base by an American collector of Chinese scholar rocks. Known as "Peacock Rock" in Chinese, there was a more recent tradition in China (from Qing Dynasty and on) to collect the exotic gemstones such as malachite and turquoise specimen and place them in the study as the viewing stones. It was believed that it has power to bless the family and ward off evils.Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)