Shoushan stone

Author: Huang Baoging (Editor)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: This series of books has the following distinct characteristics: First, it combines the evolution of Chinese seals with the cultural development of the four major seal stones, making the cultural connotation and developmental context of Chinese seals clear at a glance. The materials used are detailed and reliable, with elegant writing that is engaging to read. Second, it integrates appreciation with identification. Each volume features selections of the most common yet valuable varieties of the four major seal stones, with high-quality reproductions of exquisite pieces in terms of stone quality, color, and carving. These are accompanied by concise descriptions, along with essential explanations on how to appreciate and identify them. This offers strong knowledge and professionalism, serving as a guide for enthusiasts to gain a deeper understanding of the precious varieties of the four major seal stones. The exquisite images in the book are enough to captivate anyone even if they are merely glanced at. Third, the four major famous Chinese seal stones are divided into four separate volumes while still being published as a complete set, a first in the publication of seal stone books. Moreover, the comprehensive and systematic classification of seal stone varieties and the rich and stunning selection of images are rarely seen in previously published books on seal stones. Shoushan stone is named after Shoushan Village in Fuzhou. Shoushan stone, apart from Tianhuang, includes over 100 varieties of colored stones, which are divided into two major categories: "Shuikeng" (water) and "Shankeng" (mountain). Shoushan stone carving has two major schools, the East Gate and West Gate, both of which have been passed down to this day. Shoushan seal stone has been a tribute to the imperial court for generations, with emperors often collecting them. A tiger-clawed jade seal in the Qing imperial collection weighs as much as 12 pounds. Shuikeng stone is produced along the banks of Shoushan Creek at the foot of Zhentouzhan in the upper reaches of Shoushan Creek. Due to the abundance of water, the stone quality is dense, pure like jade, with brilliant colors, radiant, and highly valuable. However, mining is extremely difficult, and the yield is low. The varieties of Shuikeng stone can be classified by color and shape, including: Xiancao Dong (herb frost), Shuixing Dong (crystal frost), Yudan Dong (fish brain frost), Huang Dong (yellow frost), Huandong (ring frost), Niujiao Dong (buffalo horn frost), Taohua Dong (peach blossom frost), and Manao Dong (agate frost), among others. Shankeng is distributed in the rocks of Shoushan and Yuanyang villages. Most of them are formed over long periods from granite and quartzite through weathering. The stone quality is not very hard, but it has excellent workability. It was discovered and used for carving flower stands, vases, screen stands, and landscape as early as 1500 years ago. In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, many scholars and literati used it to make seals. The colors of Shankeng stone include red, yellow, black, white, purple, and blue, with some stones displaying a variety of colors on a single piece. They are mostly named after their places of origin or their colors and shapes, such as Gaoshan stone, Shanbo Cave, Lychee Cave, as well as Doucheng Pit, Qijiang, Laoling, Liuping, Yuwei, Furong, and Emei, among others. The varieties are diverse and each has its own unique characteristics. The carving of Shoushan seal stone is a unique art form, with the main characteristic being shaping according to the stone. The design is based on the natural form of the stone, and the layout is adjusted according to its color, quality, and texture, creating artistic treasures that combine wonder and skill.