Shi Zhong Junzi Furong

Author: Huang Baoqing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Tianhuang stone, Furong stone, and Jixue stone from Shoushan are at the top among various seal stones due to their excellent texture 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). The late-emerging white Furong stone from Shoushan has a texture as dense as fat and a color as white as jade, famous for its beauty described as "resembling jade but not jade." This book comprehensively introduces the origin, varieties, characteristics, carving, collection, and auction of the "Nobleman of Stones" – Furong. It will serve as a valuable reference for seal stone carvers and provides readers with beautiful text and images of great ornamental and collectible value.
Furong stone is produced in Huanshi Town, Jin'an District, Fuzhou. Its texture is pure and delicate, with a white hue tinged with red, resembling the blooming Furong flower, hence its name. The mining of Furong stone began in the late Ming Dynasty but was initially not highly valued. It gained fame only after the production of Furong stone from the General's Cave in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, few outstanding Furong stone carvings were preserved. By the late Qing Dynasty, the scarcity of stone material led to the near-extinction of Furong stone production.
In 1890, Furong stone mining was reopened, yielding many new Furong stones with vibrant colors, mostly thin-layered. This provided carvers with abundant material, leading to the continuous emergence of exquisite works. Depending on the size of the material, Furong stone can be used to create large-scale works or carved into handheld pieces, pendants, and other items. Since the large-scale production of Furong stone, carvers have employed the traditional techniques of Shoushan stone carving, boldly innovating and enriching the carving methods. The skill level has gradually improved, with various techniques such as round carving, relief carving, shallow relief carving, openwork carving, and chain carving being developed. Even multiple techniques are combined in a single piece, enhancing its expressiveness and vitality.
The emergence of new Furong stone varieties, such as red Furong stone, yellow Furong stone, green Furong stone, multicolored Furong stone, and porcelain-white Furong stone, has added a brilliant touch to the art of Shoushan stone carving. The texture and colors of Furong stone are suitable for creating works on various themes, including deities, spirits, mythical creatures, historical legends, literary allusions, landscapes, figures, animals, plants, insects, and fish.