Chinese scholar's rocks

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Gongshi (Scholar's rock) in Wenmiao temple, Shanghai

Chinese scholars' rocks (Chinese: 供石; pinyin: gōngshí), also known as scholar stones or viewing stones, are 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.

History

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

The origin of the stone is a notable feature.

Lingbi stone from Anhui. Ming Dynasty, 15th century

Aesthetics

The aesthetics of a scholar's rock is based on subtleties of color, shape, markings, surface, and sound. Prized qualities include:

Scholar's rock illustration, 11th century

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.[9]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Metropolitan Museum of Art, "The World of Scholars' Rocks Gardens, Studios, and Paintings"; retrieved 2012-12-20.
  2. Harvard Shanghai Center, "Scholar Stone"; retrieved 2012-12-20.
  3. Brokaw, Charles. (2011). The Temple Mount Code, p. 73.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Cousins, Craig. (2006). Bonsai Master Class, p. 246.
  5. Lingbi Stone and Asian Art Collection. (2014)
  6. Cousins, p. 247.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Mendelson, John. "Chinese scholars' rocks simultaneously original and simulacrum" at ArtNet.com, 1996; retrieved 2012-12-20>
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  9. 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

  • 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

Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons