Customer Reviews

5000 Years of Chinese Costumes

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An excellent, full color overview of Chinese robes from neolithic through modern times. Organized by dynasty, each chapter gives a few text pages covering basics in garment style, hairstyle and make up, and footwear for that dynasty. The full color plates are generally focused on court robes, but also include some armor, dance costumes and scholars robes. Most of the garments are rendered in a 2-dimensional layout, with either paintings or statuary from the period as primary documentation. I found the appendixes in the back to be most useful, showing the evolution of body and sleeve style through progressive dynasties. A few examples of accessories are shown. It is a good starting point for the study of the clothing of the nobility. It does not go in to much detail on the clothing of the common man until the modern era.

There may be better histories of Chinese costume, and there may even be more comprehensive ones, but I know of no more through history of Chinese costume in English other than this book. It is also lucidly organized by period and features numerous illustrations, but of period artworks and color sketches of period costume designs. An absolute must for the English-speaking scholar who wishes to become conversant with the outlines of the history of Chinese costume.

This book was published in Hong Kong. It lists Chinese costumes throughout her 5000 years of history. The book not only shows artifacts, paintings and ornaments about the Chinese costumes through out ages, it also has drawings of costume.

This is a must have title in your library.