Suiseki or "water stone"
An ancient Asian art form, known as viewing stones, is centuries old. These unique stones are prized for their form and beauty. I recently attended a Viewing Stones exhibit at Denver Botanic Gardens. There were a variety of types of stones available for viewing. Here is information posted about the exhibit:
"Originating some two thousand years ago in China, the tradition of collecting and appreciating scholars’ stones has endured in contemporary times. Scholars’ stones are natural objects valued for their use in contemplation and for their representation of landscapes, animals, human figures or abstract forms. Closely related to the art of bonsai, the stones in this exhibit have been collected by contemporary artists, many of whom are members of the Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society."
Originating in China, scholars collected stones sculpted by nature. These dramatic, vertical stones are called “scholar’s rocks.” They are typically found in dry environments.
The art form spread to Japan, where more graceful stones were collected. One type of Japanese viewing stones is called Suiseki or “water stone.”
Soosuk, or “water rock” is a type of Korean viewing stone found in rivers, where nature creates smooth surfaces over thousands of years. Prized stones are rich in color, preferably dark, with no cracks or broken edges.
Each unique, nature-crafted stone is displayed on a wood base or set in sand for best viewing.
Viewing stone at Denver Botanic Gardens