Stone tablets bear evidence to ancient records, inscriptions,
statues and architectural decorations. From column bases, door frames,
stone coffins to stone tablets and stone relievos, all of these objects
are valuable because they reveal the facts of ancient politics, economy,
culture, science and technology, military affairs, art, ethnical
contact and religious activities. Over 3000 stone tablets from the
Eastern Han Dynasty through the Qing Dynasty are preserved in the Forest
of Stone Tablets in Xi’an. Most of the tablets were created by some
famous ancient calligraphers. The best examples are the “Tablet to
Duobao Pagoda” by Yan Zhenqing, the “Tablet to Mysterious Pagoda” by Liu
Gongquan, works of cursive script by Monk Huai Su, and works of Ouyang
Xun and Chu Suiliang. Therefore, they are always favored by calligraphy
fans as copies for practice.
Rubbings are the copies of
inscriptions on the stone tablets that are made with paper and Chinese
ink. The rubbings are almost the same with the original pictures and
calligraphy, so they are greatly cherished by men of letters.
The Shaanxi Relics Management Department had some of the tablets rubbed
by experts, but only in small amount. The Applied Art Department has
copies of the original tablets made in order to make rubbings in large
numbers. As souvenirs, the copies are also well received among tourists.
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