Ancient Chinese Architecture Series, Palace Architecture [Hardcover]

Jinghua Ru (Author), Hualiang Peng (Author), E. Zang (Translator), S. Cui (Translator), Y. Ling (Translator), H. Liu (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 1998 | Series: Ancient Chinese Architecture

The palaces are the embodiment of the feudal systems of patriarchal clans and tithes, and symbolise supreme imperial power. The most outstanding and prominent examples of this architectural type are the Forbidden City in Beijing and Shenyang Imperial Palace. The former is also the largest and best-preserved timber construction in the world. The principles underlying the planning and design of ancient Chinese palaces are elaborated in detail using these two fine examples as a source of reference.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The Chinese have spent the last 4000 years developing and perfecting a unique architectural style. Highly centralized and extensively documented in building manuals and construction texts, the apex of Chinese building skills were the great imperial palaces of China's six ancient capitals. Two of these palace complexes have survived, and this volume, first of a planned series of ten on Chinese architecture and gardens, presents the Forbidden City of Beijing and the Manchu palace of Shenyang in 127 color photos with accompanying text. Clearly translated from the Chinese, the slightly dry text presents a wealth of detail on the design and construction of Chinese palaces and how they reflect Chinese cosmology. Extensive appendixes show line drawings, overviews, and technical diagrams along with maps and a chronology of Chinese architecture. Well bound and well printed (although some photos are enlarged to the point of graininess), this is a valuable addition to architecture or Asian studies collections.?David McClelland, Philadelphia
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Eine faszinierende Reise zu den architektonischen und künstlerischen Höhepunkten der chinesischen Kultur ... Der prachtvoll illustrierte Band zeigt herausragende Beispiele chinesischer Palastarchitektur in berauschenden Panoramaaufnahmen und seltenen Innen- und Detailportraits ... Das große Format und die exzellente bibliophile Ausstattung mit fotografischen Ansichten und ausgewählten Tuschezeichnungen befriedigen zusammen mit den anschaulichen englischen Beschreibungen Schaulust und Forscherdrang. Ein Muß für jeden Chinafreund." (Schöner Wohnen) "... Im Vordergrund stehen ... die großformatigen Farbabbildungen ... bei deren Betrachtung man aber gleichwohl nachfühlen kann, wie überwältigt der Venezianer Marco Polo gewesen sein mußte, als er der Pracht der herrscherlichen Gemächer zum ersten Mal ansichtig wurde." (Stuttgarter Zeitung) "... Der Prachtband des Jahres." (Wiener)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 193 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (April 2, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3211829903
• ISBN-13: 978-3211829905
• Product Dimensions: 14.9 x 12.2 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,485,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Source Book, December 31, 2000

By 

"ensbach" (Richmond, BC Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancient Chinese Architecture Series, Palace Architecture (Hardcover)

As an architectural student interested in traditional Chinese architecture, it is very hard to find English sources that deal with this topic. Although, some books talk briefly about Chinese buildings, they never go into details. However, this book is very different. First of all, this book manly focuses on two palaces in China. The first one is the Forbidden City in Beijing; the other one is the one in Shenyang. The book started out with many photos to give readers a clear idea of the palaces. Than it explains the palaces in details. It not only talks about the materials and forms of the buildings, but also explain the concept behind the palace, for example, the Ying / Yang and Five Element ideas. The point that I like the most about this book is that there are many plans and sections of the buildings within the palaces. There are many good elements to this book, but I still only give it a 4 stars rating. The reason behind it is that the book seems to jump from one location in a palace to another and there is no sequential logic behind the ordering of the pictures and text.