Suiseki Figure – “Sarcophagus”

Description

Sarcophagus is a profoundly evocative suiseki by Italian artist Felice Colombari, whose mastery lies in the sensitivity with which he selects and presents stones that seem to speak in silence. Resting on a custom-carved Koto wood daiza, this stone captures the solemn presence of its namesake—a sarcophagus, timeless and still.

The stone’s form is gently elongated, with smooth surfaces and rounded contours that evoke the image of a sacred, resting vessel. Its minimalist, monolithic shape carries an air of reverence, conjuring thoughts of ancient rituals, eternal rest, and the serene dignity of objects left untouched by time. There is a sense of peace embedded in the way the curves flow—nothing abrupt, nothing forced—just the quiet rhythm of stone shaped by the natural world over countless years.

Unlike more jagged or expressive landscape stones, Sarcophagus embraces a meditative simplicity. It invites the viewer to pause, to contemplate, and to feel the presence of something enduring. The stone may remind one of a sarcophagus not only in form, but in the atmosphere it radiates: a symbol of memory, protection, and permanence.

The Koto wood daiza, with its pale tone and refined craftsmanship, enhances the purity of the stone’s lines without overwhelming them. It serves as both foundation and frame—elevating the work into a state of subtle reverence. Together, stone and daiza form a harmonious object of contemplation, straddling the space between nature and art, between presence and absence.

Sarcophagus is a suiseki of quiet strength and spiritual grace, ideal for those who find beauty in stillness and narrative in form. It stands as a reminder that even in stillness, there is profound expression.