Nanmu Hall and Stone Carvings Artworks

Nanmu Hall and Stone Carvings Artworks

Nanmu Hall and Stone Carvings Artworks are designated as cultural relic protection units of Jiangsu Province.

Nanmu Hall is located in the center of Dongshan Town and is named Nianqin Hall. It was originally owned by the Song family. The entire residence is historically significant primarily due to this hall, though unfortunately, there are no written records to confirm its exact construction date. Judging from its architectural style, it can be identified as a Ming Dynasty building. In 1982, it was listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

The hall is built entirely from nanmu wood, hence also known as the "Nanmu Hall." It is three bays wide, measuring 12 meters, and seven rafters deep, spanning 8.12 meters. It features a front porch and rear corridor, with a rectangular floor plan. The exterior has a double-sloped flush gable roof, with the gable walls decorated with bargeboard ornaments. The roof has a gentle slope and is set atop a raised platform, approached by two stone steps. The entire structure is both stately and magnificent.

The eave columns are square with rounded corners, resting on bluestone imitation wooden column bases known as "lantern-shaped" bases. The other columns are round and straight, sitting on drum-shaped stone bases, with wooden ???? at the base for decorative effect. The hall’s interior features various intricately joined components, with beams and bracket sets predominantly using round and flat styles. The brackets are adorned with carved patterns, many of which are floral or cloud motifs, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The large beams and purlins are connected using mortise-and-tenon joints, allowing for both structural stability and flexibility. The hall’s interior also makes extensive use of painted artistry and carved panels. The beams and brackets are decorated with colorful paintings of traditional motifs, while the walls feature carved panels depicting landscapes and figures, all of which are vibrant and refined in style.

The courtyard houses a collection of stone carvings and plain stone pieces gathered from various locations around the town. These include stone platters, stone lions, stone garden stands, stone altars, ceremonial platforms, flowerpot pedestals, lotus-shaped column bases, bluestone embroidery stands, gate bases, and more. These stone carvings feature exquisitely detailed patterns, finely executed carvings, and well-composed designs. Most were used as small ornaments in gardens, decorative items in front of gates, or architectural stone components, and date back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Dongshan Town: Located southwest of Suzhou, 37 kilometers from the ancient city of Suzhou, Dongshan Town is a shining pearl on the shores of Taihu Lake. The town covers a total area of 96.55 square kilometers, governs 13 villages (communities), and has a permanent population of 54,000. Surrounded by water on three sides and blessed with a pleasant climate and abundant natural resources, Dongshan Town is a renowned fruit and flower mountain as well as a land of fish and rice. It enjoys the titles "Hometown of Biluochun Tea in China" and "Hometown of Taihu Crabs in China." Biluochun tea, white sand loquats, dark purple bayberries, Taihu hairy crabs, a variety of premium vegetables, and valuable Taihu aquatic products are available year-round. "There are fruits in every season, flowers every month..." More details about Dongshan Town ++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units