Chinese Artifacts Essay

The artist of this calligraphy helix, Zhao Mengfu, was exceedingly praised by the Yuan emperor Renzong as matchless traditional Chinese polymath (for a lack of a better word). It is said that the emperor admired him for possessing the chase seven exposestanding qualities wide learning, Song royal ancestry, elegant and charismatic demeanor, pure character and innocuous conduct, literary accomplishment, mastery of calligraphy and painting skills, and profound knowledge of Buddhist and Daoist t apieceings.As an leading and authoritative calligraphy during his era, Zhao was able to successfully advocate and promote many of the views that he had on Chinese calligraphy. Zhao support a return to the ancient models, which integrated the Jin (265 420AD) and Tang (618 906AD) dynasty entitles to synthesize a new norm for prototype and cursive scripts. In later eras, many printed texts were modeled after the standard script that he helped create. Furthermore, the cursive style script, depicted in this scroll titled Four Anecdotes from the Life of Wang Xizhi, became the foundations of the informal calligraphic styles of those how succeeded him. unrivaled of the four anecdotes from the Life of Wang Xizhi tells the story of a time when Xizhi, a calligraphic sage, was extremely fond of the processed appearance of geese. In Shanyin there was a Daoist monk who had raised a flock of more than ten beauteous geese. One morning Wang decided to take a small boat and go there. He was entranced with the geese and wanted to buy them, but the monk ref employ to sell. Wang tried in vain to persuade him. Finally, the monk told Wang that he loved Daoist philosophy and had always wanted a transcription of Laozis Daodejing with its commentary by Heshanggong.He had already prepared the silk, but no one was qualified to write it. He asked if Wang would condescend to put down two chapters each from the Dao and De sections, for which he would give Wang the whole flock. Wang stayed for half a day to write out the chapters, then he caged the geese and returned home. (Citation) In many ways, this story possesses many aspects of traditional Daoist philosophies. Firstly, the events and interactions between the Monk and Xizhi is highly reflective of the interdependence between beings.Furthermore, the fact that the Monk refuse to trade his geese through monetary center underlines Daoist de-emphasis of material objects, especially something as superficial as money. Rather, the Monk was willing to give up his geese for an implementation Xizhis skill and mastery of calligraphy. In a way, this reveals belief that an individual should play the role of what he or she was meant. In other words, the Monks offer of his geese for calligraphy mirrors some sort of a natural guidance for Xizhi to walk in accordance to the Way.In summary, the story told through the calligraphy of this scroll is highly relavent to the Daoist themes that were studied throughout the course. headi ng Buddhist stele, Tang dynasty (618906), ca. 700 Origins china Material Black limestone sur slope H. 64 1/2 in. (163. 7 cm) This relic originates from the temple in the Xinxiang County in the central Chinese province of Henan. A stele is a stone or wooden slab, generally taller than it is wide, erected for funerals or commemorating purposes, near usually decorated with the names and titles of the deceased or living inscribed, carved in easement or painted onto the slab.In this case, the Buddhist stele is made of sable limestone and is curved to give the lineation of the figure of Guanyin. In this stele, we see many of the symbolism commonly studied in the Chinese Buddhism. Firstly, the graceful of stance the pair of bodhisattvas implicates a noble yet welcoming gesture which is reflective of the characters theor sage-hood. Secondly, judging by the small objects inscribed on the crown a figure of the Buddha they represent Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara), one of the principal bod hisattvas associated with the elegant Land cult.Despite the damages accumulated over time, the gentle S- ascertain swing of the bodhisattvas bodies gives an essence of individuality to each of the figures. The Western Pure Land sect, derived from the teachings of the Buddha Amitabha, was the sect that attracted the largest number of followers. As we have discussed in class, this was most believably due to the motivation that salvation awaits each and every devotee in a paradise laid in the western realm of Buddhist cosmology. The ability of Buddhism to discuss subjects like the afterlife was one of the largest sources of its popularity.This black limestone stele is one of the best examples of Buddhist devotional art in the Tang period of Chinese history. Object Central watchtower, architectural model, Eastern Han dynasty (25220), 1stearly 3rd century Origin chinaware Material Earthenware with green lead glaze Size H. 41 in. (104. 1 cm) The Han dynasty (206 B. C. 220 A. D. ) is d eemed to be one of the most important and inflectional dynasties in pre-modern China due to it lasting effects in imperial organise and formation of a national consciousness.Chinese people, until today, still refer to themselves as Han Chinese. Furthermore, the architecture styles that were establish during the Han period layed the ground works for the architecture of the eras to follow. Han architecture was a grand improvement to the architecture of those that present them it includes vast palatial complexes, towered gateways, and city walls were built as symbols of power and prestige as well as for defense.This model art piece embodies many of the essential features of Han architecture the overhanging tiles supported by the roof, the four sided style infrastructure and the stacking effect. In many ways, this specific model, less a few details, is reminiscent of the temple edifice the class visited for the lecture on Buddhism. In relation to our studies, a great variety of thes e architectural models were utilize in the decoration of the tomb in the Han era to show the status of the person being buried.Object Spouted ritual wine vessel (guang), Shang dynasty, early Anyang period (ca. 13001050 b. c. ), 13th century b. c. Origin Possibly Anyang, Henan Province, China Material Bronze Size W. 13 in. (33 cm) This artefact, a bronze casted vessel, dates back to the late Shang era (ca. 13001050 B. C. ). The shape of the wine vessel is said to be loosely based on a figure of a bird this is identifiable through the hooked beak feature and glaring eyes effect from the face on view. As we have studied, the Shang people had many beliefs about the spiritual world.This vessel is believed to have been used to pour wine and other beverages in ceremonies involving Shang ruler and their ancestors and supernatural forces. Other feature on the vessel includes coiled serpents emerging from the wings, roaring tiger-dragons prowling along the sides, horned bird that serves as a handle. This existence an artifact of this age gives us insights into the superior technology of casting in ancient China. The complicated multilayered designs are incomparable by other cultures of the time.It is believed that the technique used for this the bronze casting is through a ceramic seal and the usage of an interior clay core. Motel bronze is then poured into filled the empty space between the multiform design and the core. Once the clay core was emptied out, the result is the astonishing bronzed vessel with complex designed as described. Again, such artifacts can be used to validate the hypotheses and speculations about the technologies and lifestyle during an ancient shade like the Shang.