Description

Book Synopsis
From the first successful Jesuit mission to China in 1583, China's cultural practices transfixed the attention of Western philosophers, theologians, architects, artists, entrepreneurs, and social critics. This book traces recurrent patterns in the European imaginative constructions of China through four illuminating spheres of encounter: linguistic, theological, aesthetic, and economic.

Trade Review
"David Porter, in an intelligent and erudite book, examines four episodes of early modern European images of China that shaped European values and self-concepts. . . ." -- International History Review

Table of Contents
List of illustrations; Introduction; 1. Linguistic legitimacy and the interpretation of Chinese writing; 2. The first ancestor: intimations of Chinese divinity; 3. Chinoiserie and the aesthetics of illegitimacy; 4. Commercialist legitimacy and the China trade; Epilogue; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Ideographia The Chinese Cipher in Early Modern

    Product form

    £55.80

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £62.00 – you save £6.20 (10%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Mon 10 Aug 2026.

    A Hardback by David Porter

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Ideographia The Chinese Cipher in Early Modern by David Porter

      Publisher: Stanford University Press
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 01/07/2002
      ISBN13: 9780804732031, 978-0804732031
      ISBN10: 0804732035

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      From the first successful Jesuit mission to China in 1583, China's cultural practices transfixed the attention of Western philosophers, theologians, architects, artists, entrepreneurs, and social critics. This book traces recurrent patterns in the European imaginative constructions of China through four illuminating spheres of encounter: linguistic, theological, aesthetic, and economic.

      Trade Review
      "David Porter, in an intelligent and erudite book, examines four episodes of early modern European images of China that shaped European values and self-concepts. . . ." -- International History Review

      Table of Contents
      List of illustrations; Introduction; 1. Linguistic legitimacy and the interpretation of Chinese writing; 2. The first ancestor: intimations of Chinese divinity; 3. Chinoiserie and the aesthetics of illegitimacy; 4. Commercialist legitimacy and the China trade; Epilogue; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account