Scholar’s Rocks

Details

The Chinese have venerated naturally shaped stones for centuries, developing a tradition of collecting and display originating from the Tang through to the Song Dynasties (618-907 AD and 960-1279 AD, respectively). These geologic wonders, known as Gongshi (meaning “Spirit Rocks”), are referred to as Scholar’s Rocks because they have served as objects of contemplation for the cultural elite, who have drawn from them inspiration for calligraphy, literature, poems and painting. Originally placed in gardens, Gongshi also came to be displayed in buildings as appreciation for the stones developed from just contemplation into artistic and spiritual reverence of the highest order.

These Scholar’s Rocks belonged to a client of mine who enjoyed the use of stone in the garden as much as I do. He possessed an impressive collection of Gongshi, and I thought it would be meaningful to incorporate some of them into the garden spaces we were creating, and in doing so, reference the original treatment of Gongshi in China over a thousand years ago.