The Imperial Rocks

David Ren

The imperial collection of courtyard rocks, which has fortunately survived the vicissitutes and numerous social upheavals of history, is the quintessence of China's long and rich tradition of rock appreciation. This catalogue seeks to introduce the imperial collections that were formed by the Yuan, Ming and Qing emperors and are now preserved in several imperial gardens such as those in the Forbidden City, The Summer Palace, Xiyuan (Beihai) Park and Zhongshan Park in Beijing, China. Part of the collection has not been open to the public since the end of the Qing dynasty (1911).

The first-rate essays in this book are contributed by five scholars: Jin Hongkui, Han Guanghui, Shan Guoqiang, Ge Zhaoguang and David Ren. It covers the historical and geographical changes in the imperial gardens, comparisons of forms and textures of rocks to rock images depicted in contemporaneous paintings, interpretation of rocks from religious, political and historical points of view, the evolution design motifs, the style of the custom-fitted stone pedestals and the relationship of the rocks to their architectural surroundings.

Beautifully produced in clothbound with a slipcase, this volume will be an essential reference on Chinese rocks for every collector, scholar, researcher, and interested individual alike.

Price: US$110.00