Description
Book SynopsisThe Chinese decorating art, in myriad media—bronze, ceramics, silk, embroidery, lacquer, jade, enamel, gold, and silver—and of carving and sculpture, is an ageless tradition of exquisite craftsmanship. Its evolution since ancient times was driven not only by the expanding use of materials available, but advances in technology. The understated elegance of Chinese aesthetics in arts and crafts, both functional and decorative, has in many ways influenced the development of the Chinese cultural identity, becoming emblematic of Chinese civilization in its worldwide dispersion. This concise history, complete and lucidly accessible, captures this millennia-old tradition, from the Neolithic Age to the late Qing when the last imperial reign unraveled, and the rise and evolution of its various forms, tracing the chronology of Chinese dynasties. Well researched and richly illustrated with more than 200 artefacts, it offers a fascinating journey through the evolution of Chinese aesthetics in the context of changing societies, reflecting the underlying qualities of the Chinese mind and a cultural heritage that endured uninterruptedly through millennia.
Table of ContentsForewordThe Primitive SocietyThe Xia, Shang, and Western Zhou DynastiesThe Spring and Autumn and the Warring States PeriodsThe Qin and Han DynastiesThe Three Kingdoms, the Jin and the Northern and Southern DynastiesThe Sui, Tang and Five DynastiesThe Song DynastyThe Mongol Empire and Yuan DynastyThe Ming DynastyThe Qing DynastyAppendices
