King of Stones, Tianhuang

Author: Lin Wenju
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-08-01
Features: The Tianhuang stone, Furong stone, and Jixue stone from Shoushan are at the top of all seal stones due to their excellent quality and noble colors, known as the "Three Treasures of Seal Stones." These three national treasure-level seal stones are also renowned as the "King of Stones" (Tianhuang), the "Queen of Stones" (Jixue), and the "Nobleman of Stones" (Furong). Tianhuang, with its luxurious color and jade-like luster, has been favored by emperors. This book will comprehensively introduce the basic content of the "King of Stones" (Tianhuang), including its origin, categories, shapes, characteristics, collection, carving, and creation. It will serve as a valuable reference for seal stone carvers and provide readers with beautiful text and images of great ornamental and collectible value.
In the early summer of the Year of the Rooster, Lin Wenju of Minzhong visited Changfeng Hall and presented his manuscript for the book Tianhuang, which he had been working on for over a decade. The manuscript consists of five chapters, over 30,000 words, and hundreds of color illustrations, comprehensively discussing the origin and resources, categories and naming, shapes and characteristics, collection and identification, carving and creation of Tianhuang. The book is richly illustrated, magnificent in scope, accessible yet profound, thorough in every aspect, and leaves nothing to be desired! Among all existing specialized books on Tianhuang, this is indeed a pioneering work. Although there may be successors, they cannot help but feel the frustration of Cui Hao. However, I particularly appreciate the chapter on carving and creation.
The appreciation of Guohui Tianhuang stone differs from that of ordinary seal stones, as appreciation and creation are closely linked and inseparable. Without creation, appreciation is often difficult, and any creative endeavor must begin with careful identification. As the saying goes, "to grasp the main thread is to see the details." With the chapter on creation as the main thread, the chapter on appreciation naturally becomes the eyes that illuminate the details.