Page 28 - BSAM 2015 Q4

The traditional evaluation for scholars’ rocks is according to the four criteria that have been in use since Mi Fu (1051–1107): shou (thin), zhou (wrinkles), lou (channels) and tou (holes).
Why and What (classi cation and appreciation, stone culture in China).
His approach was that of a geologist, making clear the classi cation according to source. Wax stones are composed of silicate (SiO2). Not all wax stones are yellow as the name suggests. ere are also red, yellow, white, green, black and the combination of two colors, red-yellow wax or other combinations. ey are also classi ed according their texture: frozen wax (similar to frozen fat (translucent, similar to jade), glue wax (semi-translucent, appears moist), ice wax (texture like chalcedony with crystals in it, glass-like), ne grain wax ( ne texture, opaque) and coarse-grained wax. Mountain wax stones are found in the mountains, water stones are harvested from rivers or sea and are o en in oval shape or as pebbles with smooth surfaces and lustre. Soil stones are excavated from soil. ey are varied in shape.
Wax stones are used indoor for decoration but also in landscape architecture as garden stones.
Wax stones have a long history and were first documented in the 14th century (Ming dynasty). Yellow wax stone culture is a type of viewing stone culture originating from Lingnan area. ey were, and still are admired for their color—yellow is the color of soil and ancient Chinese emperor, a symbol of power.
e appreciation of wax stones is a new trend in Chinese stone culture where texture, color, pattern, shape and artistic conception are of importance. About 300,000 people are collecting wax stones in China.
All three Ying stones above are placed on wood stands in traditional Jiangnan or Suzhou style. The stones at the left and middle have stands with scrolling feet and high curved legs elevating the stones. The stand of the stone at the right has protruding feet.
Left; Ying stone resembling a traditional scholars’ rock with its overhanging top.
Middle: The color of Ying stone varies. Dark gray is preferred.
Right; The slender Ying stone rises upright from narrow feet to a wider “trunk” and “head” resembling a gure or animal
The lecture on Ying stones by Mr. Zhou Guo Xin, chairman of the Guangdong Viewing Stone Association, and the lecture on wax stones by Dr. Qiu Zhili gave an insight to Chinese stone appreciation in Guangdong province.
Ying stone, also named Yingde stone, are found in the North of Guangdong province in streams near Yingde city. ese limestones are o en veined with calcite. ey are jagged with holes and breakthroughs. ey are mostly grey and dark grey to black but they can also be greenish grey, light green, red white and yellow. e base is usually cut. ey are used as gar- den stones and inside for decoration as ornamental stones. e traditional evaluation for scholars’ rocks is according to the four criteria that have been in use since Mi Fu (1051–1107): shou (thin), zhou (wrin- kles), lou (channels) and tou (holes). e modern cri- teria for stone evaluation are: hardness, color, shape, patterns, tonality, stand, name, and origin. e price doesn’t depend on the size but on the overall features (shape, texture).
In his lecture about Chinese Lingnan wax stones, Dr. Qiu Zhili answered the questions of What (material), When (historical retrospective), Where and How ( nding places, how they are harvested),
26 | BCI | January/February/March 2016