Chinese scholar's rocks
Chinese scholars' rocks (Chinese: 供石; pinyin: gōngshí), also known as scholar stones or viewing stones, are small naturally occurring or shaped rocks which are traditionally appreciated by Chinese scholars.[1]
Scholars rocks can be any color; and contrasting colors are not uncommon. The size of the stone can also be quite varied: scholars rocks can weigh either hundreds of pounds or less than one pound.[2] The term also identifies stones which are placed in traditional Chinese gardens.
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History [edit]
In the Tang dynasty, a set of four important qualities for the rocks were recognized. They are: thinness (shou), openness (tou), perforations (lou), and wrinkling (zhou).[1]
Chinese scholar's rocks influenced the development of Korean suseok and Japanese suiseki.[3]
Origin [edit]
The origin of the stone is a notable feature.
- Lingbi stone (Lingbishi) from Lingbi, Anhui province, limestone[4]
- Taihu stone (Taihushi) from Lake Tai, Jiangsu province, limestone[4]
- Yingde stone (Yingshi or Yingdeshi) from Yingde, Guangdong province, limestone[5]
Evaluation [edit]
The evaluation of a scholar's rock identifies subtlety of color, shape, markings, surface, and sound. The overall array of qualities which are prized include
- awkwardness or overhanging asymmetry[6]
- resonance or ringing when struck[6]
- representation or resemblance to landscape or figure[6]
- texture[6]
- moistness or glossy surface[6]
The stone may be displayed on a rosewood pedestal that has been carved specifically for the stone. The stones are a traditional subject of Chinese paintings.[7]
See also [edit]
- Penjing
- Suseok
- Suiseki
- Chinese garden
- Floral Arrangement
- Lake Tai - source of many Chinese scholar's rocks
References [edit]
- ^ a b Metropolitan Museum of Art, "The World of Scholars' Rocks Gardens, Studios, and Paintings"; retrieved 2012-12-20.
- ^ Harvard Shanghai Center, "Scholar Stone"; retrieved 2012-12-20.
- ^ Brokaw, Charles. (2011). The Temple Mount Code, p. 73.
- ^ a b Cousins, Craig. (2006). Bonsai Master Class, p. 246.
- ^ Cousins, p. 247.
- ^ a b c d e Mendelson, John. "Chinese scholars' rocks simultaneously original and simulacrum" at ArtNet.com, 1996; retrieved 2012-12-20>
- ^ Harvard Museums, "Scholar's rock", 1993 painting; Linrothe, Robert N. (2004). Paradise and Plumage: Chinese Connections in Tibetan Arhat Painting, p. 24; retrieved 2012-12-20.
Further reading [edit]
- Little, Stephen, Spirit stones of China, the Ian and Susan Wilson collection of Chinese stones, paintings, and related scholars' objects, Chicago, Art Institute of Chicago, 1999, ISBN 0-86559-173-3
External links [edit]
Media related to Scholar's rocks at Wikimedia Commons
- Visuals and examples of scholar rocks
- Galleries of scholar rocks
- Books on scholars' rocks
- Chinese scholar's rock history, an introductory historical background
- Classification of Chinese scholar's rocks
- Scholar's rock at Metropolitan Museum of Art
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