Stone

Author: Gu Mingtang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Stone culture is one of the earliest cultures. Since the earliest stages of human life, stones have been inseparable. For over two million years before the invention of metal materials, it was the long Stone Age. From utility to decoration and appreciation, stones were used as materials. The drawings and literary symbols of primitive humans were carved on stone walls. The earliest ritual vessels were stone-carved guis, pei, and dou bi; in terms of musical instruments, stone was one of the eight ancient musical materials. Stones could verify celestial phenomena, as the saying goes, "When the foundation is damp, it will rain" and "When the wind rises, stone swallows fly." Stones could be used as seals and stamps, with matching stones and divided partitions to demonstrate trustworthiness. In summary, stones have evolved alongside human civilization. Although Gu Mingtang's book is not a specialized history of, it collects and selects the delightful stories and anecdotes of cultural celebrities who were passionate about this art, allowing one to observe cultural customs. Although it is not a dedicated book on stone appreciation, it provides detailed descriptions of the qualities and origins of rare stones. However, it focuses on appreciation rather than utility, so items like the Duanxi and Shexi stone inkstones, as well as fine seal stones like Shoushan and Qingtian, are not included.