Cultivated Stones: Chinese Scholars' Rocks from the Kemin Hu Collection

The catalog features a major gift of Chinese stones to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum. It includes 50 types of stones, ranging from traditional to modern, and is accompanied by 107 stunning photographs and an essay by Phillip E. Bloom, curator of the Chinese Garden and director of the Center for East Asian Garden Studies at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

Format: Hardback
Length: 148 pages
Publication date: 14 March 2023
Publisher: National Bonsai Foundation

Lose yourself in the endlessly rich variety of Chinese scholars rocks, or gongshi, in this catalog featuring a major gift of Chinese stones to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum. This gift from recognized authority on scholars rocks Kemin Hu includes 50 types of stones, ranging from the traditional to the modern. Lingbi, taihu, ying, and other stones have been collected from all over China and are presented here in nine thematic groupings. One hundred and seven stunning photographs allow readers to plumb the depths of this ancient yet dynamic art form.

Phillip E. Bloom, curator of the Chinese Garden and director of the Center for East Asian Garden Studies at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, guides readers through gongshis 2,000-year history and introduces them to some of Chinas most passionate "lithomaniacs." Featuring numerous illustrations and historical aficionados own musings in both translation and the original Chinese, Blooms essay cracks open gongshis history for a Western audience. A collectors preface by Hu, as well as reflections on stone collecting by American enthusiasts, complete the catalog.

Stone appreciation is on the rise in the United States, although the English-language literature remains slim. Cultivated Stones is a valuable contribution to this growing field, not just an introduction for the interested novice but a scholarly advancement in its own right.

Discover the captivating world of Chinese scholars rocks, or gongshi, in this comprehensive catalog showcasing a remarkable gift of Chinese stones to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum. This extraordinary gift, graciously provided by renowned experts on scholars rocks Kemin Hu, comprises a diverse collection of 50 types of stones, spanning from the traditional to the contemporary. These stones have been meticulously sourced from across China and are presented here in nine thematic groupings, offering a captivating glimpse into this ancient yet dynamic art form.

One hundred and seven stunning photographs accompany the text, allowing readers to delve into the depths of this ancient yet dynamic art form. Phillip E. Bloom, curator of the Chinese Garden and director of the Center for East Asian Garden Studies at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, leads readers on a historical journey through gongshis 2,000-year history, introducing them to some of China's most passionate "lithomaniacs." The catalog features numerous illustrations and insights from American enthusiasts, providing a deeper understanding of stone collecting in the United States.

In addition to the captivating content, the catalog includes a collectors preface by Hu and reflections on stone collecting by American enthusiasts, rounding out the comprehensive nature of this publication. Stone appreciation is gaining momentum in the United States, although the English-language literature in this field remains relatively limited. Cultivated Stones emerges as a valuable contribution to this growing field, offering not just an introduction for the interested novice but also a scholarly advancement in its own right.

Weight: 1315g
Dimension: 287 x 297 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9798218020804