The Problem of Meaning in Early Chinese Ritual Bronzes [Colloquies on art & archaeology in Asia, no. 15.]

edited by Roderick Whitfield

ISBN 10: 0728602032 / ISBN 13: 9780728602038

Published by London : Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, 1993

About this Item

176 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm. Contents: Foreword / Roderick Whitfield -- Art and meaning / Sarah Allen -- Meaning and explanation / Robert W. Bagley -- Liangzhu culture and the Shang dynasty Taotie motif / Li Xuequin -- Late Shang bronze design / Jessica Rawson --Zoomorphic bronzes of the Shang and Zhou periods / Xiong Chuanxin -- A textual investigation of the Taotie / Wang Tao -- Meaning and style in the art of Chu / Colin Mackenzie -- Aspects of the serpent on eastern Zhou bronzes and lacquerware / Alain Thote -- Epilogue / Sarah Allen.

Seller Inventory # PGPDF17

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Problem of Meaning in Early Chinese Ritual Bronzes [Colloquies on art & archaeology in Asia, no. 15.]
• Publisher: London : Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
• Publication Date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0728602032
• ISBN 13: 9780728602038
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: New
• Seller catalogs:
  • Archaeology
  • Art
  • China

About this title

Synopsis

This outstanding collection of articles addresses one of the vexing questions of early China studies: what do the symbols adorning the ancient bronze vessels mean? Authors include Sarah Allan, Robert Bagley, Li Xueqin, Jessica Rawson, Xiong Chuanxin, Wang Tao, Colin McKenzie, and Alain Thote. An epilogue by Allan addresses the other essays, elaborating on her theory that the motifs are not "representations" of anything but do have thematic relationships with the myth and ritual of the Shang. The book includes many beautiful black-and-white illustrations. Production values are high--note the striking cover design. It evolved from a colloquy at the School of African and Oriental Studies in London, sponsored by the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art.