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From textural accounts we know that Yung-lo underglaze blue is made from a blue cobalt material of foreign origin. Popularly known as "su-ni-po blue," it is distinguished by its permeating blue hue and vaporous, diffused quality. The glaze turns a deep blue when fired. Globular vase with dragon motif in underglaze blue Ming Dynasty, Yung-lo period (A.D.1403-1425)v
- Upload: 2000-8-5 14:42:59 Hits: 841 |
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Jade kuei tablets, like the one shown here, were ritual objects whose shape derived from an early tool and weapon. The tablets are of a narrow rectangular shape with a level blade on one end, in the manner of its shovel prototype. The midsection of both faces is carved in an elaborate design. Kuei tablet Late Neolithic Age (Ca.2500-1600B.C.)
- Upload: 2000-8-4 14:18:33 Hits: 944 |
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In both shape and decor, the San p¡®an reflects the succinct and principled style characteristic of late Western Chou bronzes. The lower side of this piece is decorated with k¡®uei dragon designs. Among these are three animal heads in relief. Animal mask patterns cover the high round base. San P¡®an Late Western Chou dynasty (Ca. 9th-8th centuries B.C.)
- Upload: 2000-8-8 2:02:52 Hits: 912 |
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This cup is fashioned from a whitish nephrite with green undertones and brown mottling. It resembles an animal horn with rounded rectangular cross section. The obverse face of the cup is adorned with a dragon motif. The dragon is shown lifting its head from the upper left corner and its body snaking downward in an S-shape to the base of the vessel. Jade cup in the shape of an animal horn Han Dynasty (206 B.C.~A.D. 220)
- Upload: 2000-8-3 0:42:08 Hits: 944 |
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Jade ts¡¯ung tubes are one of the principal ritual objects of the late Neolithic period. Its basic shape is a square cylinder with a large round bore piercing its length. The square outer shape of the ts¡¯ung derives from the ancient universal concept of the ¡°square earth,¡± whereas the round central bore is thought to have symbolized a channel of communication between the mortal and celestial worlds. Ts¡®ung tube Late Neolithic Age (Ca.3300-2200 B.C.)
- Upload: 2000-8-1 0:39:47 Hits: 881 |
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This inkstone is a rich brown with green-rimmed yellow spots, also called "stone eyes," on the sides and bottom. In the inkwell is a short protruding post with a stone eye symbolizing the moon. The post is surrounded by a spiraling cloud pattern carved in light relief. Over 60 slender posts of various lengths are carved on the bottom of the inkstone, each with a stone eye on its end representing a star. Inkstone with moon and star decor, with Su Shih mark Sung Dynasty (A.D.960-1279)
- Upload: 2000-7-30 0:26:12 Hits: 947 |
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Carved red lacquer ware is produced by applying several layers of red lacquer on a base mold until a considerable thickness is achieved and then carving the lacquer into decorative designs. This technique emerged in the T¡¯ang dynasty and reached its zenith in the Sung and Yuan periods. At the beginning of the Ming dynasty, carved lacquer ware, having earned the patronage and esteem of the Yung-lo emperor, was produced at palace workshops employing the most renowned artisans. Carved red lacquer vase with floral design Ming Dynasty, Yung-lo period (1403~1424)
- Upload: 2000-7-31 0:24:42 Hits: 925 |
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Geographical and travel texts have a long history in China, extending as far back as the Shang and Chou dynasties (17th-3rd c. BC) when specific officials dealt with compiling and organizing geographical texts. And following Fo-kuo chi (Record of the Land of the Buddha) by the Chin (265-317) monk Fa-hsien, such texts became increasingly popular. Hsuan-ho feng-shih Kao-li t¡®u-ching (Illustrated Text by Envoy to Korea in the Hsuan-ho Era) Hsu Ching (1091-1153), Sung Dynasty Chiang-yin Imprint from the Hsu Collection of 1167
- Upload: 2000-7-29 23:08:38 Hits: 888 |