Collection of Ancient Chinese Cultural Relics, Volume 4

Book excerpt: A collection of ancient Chinese Cultural Relics from the period of the Three Kingdoms, Western and Eastern Jin Dynasties and Southern and Northern Dynasties, 220 to 589. It covers jade and bronze ware, gold and silver ware, porcelain, painting, calligraphy, stone carving, and handicrafts. The books covers jade and bronze ware, gold and silver ware, porcelain, painting, calligraphy, stone carving and handicrafts from the period of the Three Kingdoms, Western and Eastern Jin Dynasties and the Southern and Northern Dynasties, 220 to 589. Unified ancient China during the Qin and Han Dynasties ended with political division into the Three Kingdoms of the three states of Wei, Shu and Wu. Subsequent centuries witnessed frequent shifts in power, including the Western and Eastern Jin Dynasties of the Song, Qi, Liang and Chen, and Northern Dynasties of Northern Wi, Eastern Wi, Western Wei, Northern Qi and Northern Zhou. National reunification was finally achieved again in 589 when the Sui Dynasty overthrew the state of Chen. The break-up of the nation amid social unrest resulted in economic stagnation, greatly affecting the development of the jade manufacturing sector, having a direct contact with rituals and funerals. Changes in ideology and culture also led to people developing different ideas on the use of jades. Certainly, the development of Chinese jade reached its nadir during the period from the Wei and Jin to Southern and Northern Dynasties. The bronze ware that enjoyed a vogue from the Shang Dynasty also declined in popularity and usage. From the variety of art works to their style characteristics, hey basically continued the traditions of the Han Dynasty, but were rather poorly made compared with those produced during the Han period. National integration, however, led the people of various ethnic groups to learn from each other and helped form some common cultural characteristics. This can be found through the casting of bronze ware. Moreover, some bronze vessels also reflect the unique customs of certain ethnic groups to some extent. This book, the fourth in a ten-volume collection, brings to the English-speaking world a series of books from China which has been complied by an Expert Committee of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics. There are 367 descriptions.