anthony m. lee asian art research
1649 W. Greenleaf Ave. #GW Chicago IL 60626 (773) 743-2370
Neolithic Pottery, Ritual Jades
4800-2000 BCE (Yangshao, Macheng, Banpo (Pottery); Liangzhu, Hongshan cultures (jades, burnished blackware)
Bronze Age Ritual bronze vessels, Ritual and sculptural jade, ivory
Xia ca. 2000-1500 BCE
Shang 1700-1027 BCE
Western Zhou 1027-771 BCE
Eastern Zhou 770-221 BCE
770-476 -- Spring and Autumn 475-221 -- Warring States
Early Dynastic China Tomb culture, Buddhism, Cosmopolitanism
Qin 221-207 BCE
Western Han 206 BCE-9 CE
Xin (Wang Mang interregnum)CE 9-24
Eastern Han 25-220 CE
Three Kingdoms 220-280 CE
220-265 – Wei 221-263 – Shu 229-280 -- Wu
Western Jin 265-316 CE
Eastern Jin 317-420 CE
Southern and Northern Dynasties 420-588 CE
Southern Dynasties 420-588
420-478 – Song 479-501 -- Qi
502-556 – Liang 557-588 -- Chen
Northern Dynasties 386-588
386-533 -- Northern Wei 534-549 -- Eastern Wei
535-557 -- Western Wei 550-577 -- Northern Qi
557-588 -- Northern Zhou
Sui 581-617 CE
Tang 618-907 CE
Five Dynasties 907-960 CE
907-923 -- Later Liang 923-936 -- Later Tang
936-946 -- Later Jin 947-950 -- Later Han
951-960 -- Later Zhou
Ten Kingdoms 907-979 CE
Later Dynastic China Porcelain, Export, Luxury Goods
Song 960-1279 CE
960-1127 -- Northern Song 1127-1279 -- Southern Song
Liao 916-1125 CE
Western Xia 1038-1227 CE
Jin 1115-1234 CE
Yuan 1279-1368 CE
Ming 1368-1644 CE
Qing 1644-1911 CE
Republic of China (in mainland China) 1911-1949 CE
Republic of China (in Taiwan) 1949- CE
People's Republic of China 1949- CE
Archaic True antiquity (Shang, Zhou or Han period bronzes and jade)
Archaism Reproduction of the ancient (e.g. Song dynasty copies of Shang bronzes)
Bi Ritual disc form with round center hole, jade
Bronze Standard alloy of tin and copper with other metals.
Bronze Age In Chinese archaeology, period beginning with first recorded writings, on bronze, bone and bamboo, ca 1500 BCE. Begins with Shang Erlitou period and extends to the Eastern Zhou period corresponding to late bronze age, 221 BCE.
Buddhism Belief system (philosophical, later religious) developed by Siddhartha Gautama, 5th C BCE. By correct thought and actions believers hope to end the cycle of reincarnation. Basic tenet is that all life is suffering, and by recognizing truth we gain enlightenment and the means to end rebirth.
Cloisonné Technique of firing enamels (glass) on metal body, colours separated by wires
Cong Ritual columnar object with rounded corners, jade
Ding Tripod vessel, bronze
Earthenware Low fired pottery, porous (e.g. flower pots, Han – Tang tomb figures)
Gu Trumpet mouthed beaker, bronze
Jade Nephrite (in Chinese the category also includes agate, chalcedony, sardonyx and many other coloured semi-precious stones). Until late 1700’s all Chinese jade came from Khotan area (West China) sources in pebble to boulder form. After late 1700’s mined in much vaster quantities. Jadeite or Burmese Jade or Jewellery Quality jade is also from this period and later. Jade is not technically carved, rather abraded with corundum powders impregnated on various tools and drills.
Jesuits Society of Jesus, lay and monastic society founded by Ignatius Loyola in the late Renaissance, emphasizing high degree of scholarship and learning within the parameters of Catholic clericalism. In China, many were invited to the court as artists and scientists primarily, including Matteo Ricci (1552 – 1610) and Giuseppe Castiglione (1688 -1766).
Lacquer Natural paint made from the sap of the rhus vernicifera tree. Can be coloured with pigments (e.g. lampblack, cinnabar, gold dust). Successive layers built up over a wood core forms a waterproof seal. Built to a high thickness, it can be carved
Literati Chinese educated elite, officials/mandarins
Mughal Period of Islamic rule in India (heirs to the Mongol dynasty of Tamerlane), a style of highly polished and delicate carving of Jade
Neolithic In Chinese archaeology, period of prehistory covering approximately 5000 – 2000 BCE.
Porcelain High fired pottery, fully vitreous, thin and strong (e.g. bone china)
Qin Dynasty founded by Qin Shihuang (King Yong Zheng of Qin) 221 BCE. Unified China and beginning of period of Imperial dynastic rule.
Stoneware Medium fired pottery, semi-porous with hard slip or glaze (e.g. diner ware, many Song Ceramics)
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