Page 38 - BSAM 2017 Q1

Figure 8: This landscape stone has nice ow with many elements worth more than a passing look. It is reminiscent of some of the sandstone formations of the southwestern United States. Stone measures 24 x 4 x 7 cm. and is displayed in a bronze doban.
of mountainous terrain ( gures 2, 7 and 8). Many stones feature crevices and caves, so it is easy to take an imaginary hike or recreate a memory of a family vacation. Many of the petrified landscape stones remind one of the rock structures in Utah and Arizona and other parts of the southwestern United States ( gure 8, 9 and 10). e presence of quartz and chalcedony in the stone o en creates waterfall like appearances ( gure 4). Some of the stones take on the appearance of the great spires and inspirational steeples of great cathedrals of Europe. (Figure 5 and 6) Surprisingly enough, many of the collected pieces make very outstanding figure stones, resembling human or animal forms (Figure 11). It is easy to see why petri ed stones are gaining popularity among stone enthusiast.
Petri ed wood displays attractively; whether, in a wooden base (daiza) or in a tray (suiban or doban). e multiple colors of petri ed wood create many options in matching to the appropriate suiban. Many pieces are artistically and dynamically sculpted by nature to stand alone as a viewing stone. Other pieces are more subdued and quiet and would serve beautifully as an accent to bonsai. I’ve observed in displaying stones, people are o en drawn to beauty and the form of the petri ed wood rst.
One of the most important criteria for proper viewing stones is that the stone structure not be so or aky, but rather solid and hard enough to pass from generation to generation. Petri ed wood meets that criteria. Daniels and Dayvault note, “Most petri ed wood is available to collectors because it is harder than the sedimentary rocks from which it weathers, thereby leaving lag deposits on the ground surface.”
Middle; Figure 9: This small stone, (5 x 5 x 10 cm.), reminds one of the solitary cylinder of rock against the backdrop of the setting sun.
Bottom; Figure 10: This landscape stone is very southwestern United States, resembling areas of the high desert, (11 x 5 x 5 cm.).
36 | BCI | January/February/March 2017