The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology: Celebrated Discoveries from The People`s Republic of China [Hardcover]

Xiaoneng Yang (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0300081324 | ISBN-13: 978-0300081329 | Publication Date: October 11, 1999

The book consists of four sections: late Prehistoric China, the so-called Jade Age, which produced finely carved jade, stone, and pottery objects; the Early Bronze Age, which included cultures from both north and south, such as the Fuhao, Sanxingdui, and Xin'gan discoveries; the Chu Culture, a splendid period revealed through its silk, lacquer, jade, musical instruments, paintings, calligraphy, and ritual bronzes like those from the Zenghou Yi tomb; and Imperial China, represented by objects beginning with the first emperor and ending with the Five Dynasties, which include the Qin terra-cotta army, jade suits, Qingzhou Buddhist sculptures, and the Famensi gold and silver objects. Xiaoneng Yang offers a general introduction to the history and achievements of Chinese archaeology and prefaces each of the four periods with a lucid, brief discussion of the cultures that flourished, while each archaeological discovery is described in an introduction preceding each group of splendid objects.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Fifty years of scientific archaeology in the People's Republic of China (PRC) have redefined early Chinese culture. This handsome volume surveys some of the most spectacular recent finds and their role in reshaping the history of civilization in ancient China. The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., teamed up with Kansas City's Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to organize a second extravaganza of unburied treasures, emphasizing discoveries made since their last show in 1974. The more than 175 objects from four historical periods and in numerous media represent important early sites and a diversity of cultures located outside the central Yellow River area--most notably in the south and southwest regions, like the state of Chu. The range is vast, from roughly painted pots about 6,000 years old to lovely clay and marble figures modeling the courtly fashions of 1,000 years ago. The excellent photographs and short texts on individual objects and their excavation sites describe their artistic and historical importance and prompt readers to savor individual artifacts over broad sweeps of history. Linger over a unique pottery basin painted with diagonal lozenges; an over-life-size bronze figure and related heads with strikingly geometrical features; various fantastic creatures in bronze and jade; lacquer bowls and silk garment fragments that have unbelievably survived the centuries; and polychromed Buddhist deities that reveal details like blue mustaches and eyebrows.

The exhibition runs in Washington, D.C., then Houston, Texas, and San Francisco, California, through September 2000. --Alex Lawrence

From Library Journal

This catalog documents a landmark exhibition organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC; the Nelson-Arkins Museum of Art, Kansas City; and the People's Republic of China. The exhibition will also travel to Houston and San Francisco. It is a sequel to the show of archaeological finds from China displayed at the National Gallery of Art in 1974. The book's images display with great clarity the most important archaeological discoveries in the People's Republic of China excavated since the late 1970s. Representing achievements over a 6000-year time span (5000 B.C.E. to 1000 C.E.) and a wide geographical range, it features more than 200 artifacts of the highest artistic and historical value--including sculpture, ritual objects, furniture, textiles, and decorative objects. An introductory essay traces the development of Chinese archaeology, pointing out an altered view on formation and development of Chinese civilization. As one of the most significant publications on the subject in the English language during the past few decades, this book truly opens a window on the themes and motifs of the past 60 centuries of Chinese civilization. It is essential for public as well as academic libraries.
-Lucia S. Chen, NYPL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 576 pages
• Publisher: National Gallery Washington (October 11, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300081324
• ISBN-13: 978-0300081329
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 10 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #595,756 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)