Terms to RememberTerms to Remember

1.1. Shang (1700-1027 BCE)Shang (1700-1027 BCE)2.2. Chou—Eastern and Western (1027-771 Chou—Eastern and Western (1027-771

BCE )BCE )3.3. Warring States (770-221 BCE)Warring States (770-221 BCE)4.4. Chin (221-207 BCE)Chin (221-207 BCE)5.5. Han (25-220 CE)Han (25-220 CE)6.6. Three Kingdoms (220-280 CE)Three Kingdoms (220-280 CE)7.7. Tang (618-907 CE )Tang (618-907 CE )8.8. Wei (907-960)Wei (907-960)9.9. Sung/Song (960-1279 CE)Sung/Song (960-1279 CE)

Ancient China

Map of ancient China

OracleBones

Confucius (K'ung-tzu Confucius (K'ung-tzu (Master Kung) (Master Kung)

551 BC– 479 BC 551 BC– 479 BC

Lao Tzu; also Lao Tse, contemporary to ConfuciusLao Tzu; also Lao Tse, contemporary to Confucius

Taoism/Daoism Yin Yang symbol. Yin=male principle (white). Yang=female principle (Black)

Complementary opposites

The Terracotta armies of Qin Shi Huang

The Terracotta armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China.

The figures, dating from 210 BC, were discovered in 1974 by some local farmers in Shaanxi province, near the Mausoleum of the First Qin The figures vary in height, according to their roles, the tallest being the generals.

The figures include warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians.

Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the terracotta army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in

the pits.

Chinese bronzeware is categorized according to use:Chinese bronzeware is categorized according to use:

1.1. Sacrificial vessels Sacrificial vessels 2.2. Wine vessels Wine vessels 3.3. Food vessels Food vessels 4.4. Water vessels Water vessels 5.5. Musical instruments Musical instruments 6.6. Weapons Weapons 7.7. Measuring containers Measuring containers 8.8. Ancient money Ancient money

Types of Chinese Ritual Vessels—BronzeTypes of Chinese Ritual Vessels—Bronze

Divided according to typesDivided according to types With legs/lids/handlesWith legs/lids/handles Without legs/lids/handlesWithout legs/lids/handles With different types of shapes/purposesWith different types of shapes/purposes A A DingDing ( (ting) is an ancient vessel with legs, a lid and a handle on ting) is an ancient vessel with legs, a lid and a handle on

either side. either side.

A Ding is made in two shapes with round vessels having three A Ding is made in two shapes with round vessels having three legs.legs.

A Ding, originally made of ceramic, was cast in bronze during the A Ding, originally made of ceramic, was cast in bronze during the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE). Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE).

Used for cooking, storage and storage of ritual offerings to Used for cooking, storage and storage of ritual offerings to ancestors.ancestors.

Chinese pronunciation systemChinese pronunciation system

PinyinPinyin is is Mandarin pronunciation systemMandarin pronunciation system

It’s now the official system to transcribe Chinese characters to It’s now the official system to transcribe Chinese characters to teach Mandarin Chinese in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, teach Mandarin Chinese in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. Singapore and Taiwan.

It is also often used to spell Chinese names in foreign It is also often used to spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into computers.characters into computers.

The system was developed by Zhou Youguang (b. 1906), who The system was developed by Zhou Youguang (b. 1906), who led a government committee in developing the system in China led a government committee in developing the system in China (PRC) in the 1950s.(PRC) in the 1950s.

The system was published by the Chinese government in 1958 The system was published by the Chinese government in 1958 and adopted as official pronunciation system.and adopted as official pronunciation system.

Vessels…..continuedVessels…..continued

Originally there were Nine Dings which were believed to have Originally there were Nine Dings which were believed to have been cast by King Yu of the Xia Dynasty when he divided his been cast by King Yu of the Xia Dynasty when he divided his territory into Nine Provinces called territory into Nine Provinces called JiuzhouJiuzhou..

Later on, possession of all nine was considered a sign of Later on, possession of all nine was considered a sign of rightful authority over all. rightful authority over all.

Owning even a few Dings was a symbol of power and social Owning even a few Dings was a symbol of power and social status.status.

The whereabouts of the nine dings are presently unknown, but The whereabouts of the nine dings are presently unknown, but are said to have been lost during the imperial Qin Dynasty are said to have been lost during the imperial Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE).(221-206 BCE).

Vessels, continuedVessels, continued

LiLi GuGu Used for three purposes: to hold millet wine, food and water. Used for three purposes: to hold millet wine, food and water. Vessels with their long feet were used for cookingVessels with their long feet were used for cooking

Decoration and InscriptionsDecoration and Inscriptions

Display typical Display typical TaotieTaotie pattern with a dragon motif (Taotie mask). pattern with a dragon motif (Taotie mask).

The first inscriptions of the bronze vessels are clan insignia,The first inscriptions of the bronze vessels are clan insignia,or names of persons (dead ancestors).or names of persons (dead ancestors).

Ancestor veneration/worshipAncestor veneration/worship

VesselsVessels

LiLi - a round-bellied food container with three hollow - a round-bellied food container with three hollow legs from early Shang times to late Warring States. legs from early Shang times to late Warring States.

Typical for this vessel type is the seamless, smooth Typical for this vessel type is the seamless, smooth transition from the legs into the body that makes the transition from the legs into the body that makes the lili optically more slim than the optically more slim than the dingding type. type.

There are mixed forms called There are mixed forms called li-dingli-ding or or ding-li.ding-li.

VesselsVessels

YanYan - combination of - combination of lili and a pot ( and a pot (zengzeng) from early Shang to) from early Shang to Spring and Autumn period. Spring and Autumn period.

The The yanyan was a kind of metal steamer. was a kind of metal steamer.

The food was put in the The food was put in the zengzeng, the water in the , the water in the lili was heated was heated by a fire between the three legs. by a fire between the three legs.

The water vapor rose through holes or a grid in the bottom ofThe water vapor rose through holes or a grid in the bottom of the upper pot. the upper pot.

There exist objects with one long stove-like There exist objects with one long stove-like lili and three pots and three pots upon. From Western Zhou on, we also find square upon. From Western Zhou on, we also find square yanyan vessels. vessels.

The character indicates that the vessel had a ceramic origin.The character indicates that the vessel had a ceramic origin.

VesselsVessels

JueJue - one of the oldest wine mugs, the earliest dates - one of the oldest wine mugs, the earliest dates from the Erlitou culture. from the Erlitou culture.

The The jue'sjue's typical features are long, canal-like beak typical features are long, canal-like beak and shorter counterpart on the other side.and shorter counterpart on the other side.

On both sides, small handles (On both sides, small handles (panpan) are fitted. From ) are fitted. From the Shang dynasty on, the Shang dynasty on, juejue beaks are crowned by one beaks are crowned by one or two or two zhuzhu buttons. buttons.

This vessel type has been very popular and was This vessel type has been very popular and was copied often. It has been in use until the introduction copied often. It has been in use until the introduction of bowls and cups during Song dynasty. of bowls and cups during Song dynasty.

A standard vessel used for food sacrifice to ancestors. Although a ding is three legged, there are examples of four legged vessels, especially in ancient times. The four-legged is called fangding (square ding).

Gefuding Gui, Late Shang, Shanghai Museum

A late Shang, ritual bronze wine vessel (zun) in the unusual shape of an owl with a domed head for

its lid

A late Shang dynasty bronze ding vessel with taotie motif

Zun vessel

Quang, ritual wine pouring vessel from Shang dynasty, Anyang period, about 12th–11th century BCE.

Used for sacrificial purposes. It is said that a person who did offend against the etiquette had to drink to the health of his host until he was drunk.

A Gong bronze vessel with animalistic motif13-11 century B.C., late Shang Dynasty

A gū ritual wine vessel, 12-11th century BCE, Shang Dynasty

Bronze vessel, Shang Dynasty( 1700 B.C.-1027 BCE.)

Wine Vessel (Fanglei), Shang dynasty (c. 1600-c. 1050 B.C.),

12th/11th c. B.C.

Tripod Ritual Wine Cup (Jue)Western Zhou, circa: 11th century-771 BCE

A Western Zhou bronze gui vessel, c. 1000 BCE.

In the Chinese historical tradition, the Zhou

defeated the Shang and oriented the Shang system

of ancestor worship towards a universalized worship, away from the

worship of Shangdi and to that of Tian or "heaven".

They legitimized their rule by invoking the "Mandate of Heaven," the notion that

the ruler (the "Son of Heaven") governed by

divine right and that his dethronement would prove

that he had lost the Mandate. Disasters and

successful rebellions would thus show that the ruling family had lost this

Mandate.

you

Yǒu with zigzag thunder pattern, Early Zhou

Stone rubbings from Han Dynasty

Han Dynasty

Han nobles, a Chinese painting on a ceramic tile from a tomb near Luoyang, Henan province.Dated Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 CE).

Detail of a painting by HAN KAN

a celebrated painter of the court, c.742-

756. 

"Night-Shining White"  is

described as the favorite

mount of the Tang Emperor Ming-huang. 

The work is a hand scroll, in ink on paper.

Metropolitan Museum of Art 

Court official on an outing by an anonymous painter, Han Dynasty

Court ladies at work, Han Dynasty, inspired by Confucius teaching

Spring Outing of the Tang Court by Zhang Xuan, Tang Dynasty, c. 8th century

The Sung/Song DynastyThe Sung/Song Dynasty

The The Song DynastySong Dynasty (960–1279) (960–1279) It’sIt’s divided into two distinct periods: the divided into two distinct periods: the

Northern Song and Southern Song.Northern Song and Southern Song.

During the During the Northern SongNorthern Song the capital was in the capital was in the northern city of Bianjing (now Kaifeng) the northern city of Bianjing (now Kaifeng) and the dynasty controlled most of inner and the dynasty controlled most of inner China.China.

Art of Northern Song DynastyArt of Northern Song Dynasty

The Song dynasty (960–1279) was culturally the most The Song dynasty (960–1279) was culturally the most brilliant era in later imperial Chinese history. brilliant era in later imperial Chinese history.

A time of great social and economic change, the period in A time of great social and economic change, the period in large measure shaped the intellectual and political climate large measure shaped the intellectual and political climate of China down to the twentieth century. of China down to the twentieth century.

The first half of this era, when the capital was located at The first half of this era, when the capital was located at Bianliang (modern Kaifeng), is known as the Northern Bianliang (modern Kaifeng), is known as the Northern Song period (960-1126).Song period (960-1126).

The early Northern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) witnessed The early Northern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) witnessed the flowering of one of the supreme artistic expressions of the flowering of one of the supreme artistic expressions of Chinese civilization: monumental landscape painting.Chinese civilization: monumental landscape painting.

Paintings during Song Dynasty 960-Paintings during Song Dynasty 960-12791279

Towering achievements in intellectual, artistic and material Towering achievements in intellectual, artistic and material culture took placeculture took place

Values and patterns of culture were planted during the Tang Values and patterns of culture were planted during the Tang Dynasty in an embryonic formDynasty in an embryonic form

During the Song it flourished but with an emphasis on society, During the Song it flourished but with an emphasis on society, rather than on military might, in spite of recurring threats from rather than on military might, in spite of recurring threats from the neighbors of the steppesthe neighbors of the steppes

Focus on effective administration, arts, literature, culture were Focus on effective administration, arts, literature, culture were encouragedencouraged

Artists, musicians, poets, calligraphers and writers were Artists, musicians, poets, calligraphers and writers were patronized by the courtspatronized by the courts

Learning was the key to success Learning was the key to success

Literati SchoolLiterati School

Paintings often contained poemsPaintings often contained poems

Calligraphy gained a status of art, rather than just a form of Calligraphy gained a status of art, rather than just a form of writingwriting

Artistic and intellectual output increased vastlyArtistic and intellectual output increased vastly

Harking back to the Confucius ideals—Neo-Confucianism—Harking back to the Confucius ideals—Neo-Confucianism—that were concerned with good government, hierarchical but that were concerned with good government, hierarchical but benevolent ordering of societybenevolent ordering of society

Buddhist/Daoist ideals of compassion and kinship with all Buddhist/Daoist ideals of compassion and kinship with all sentient beings were reflected in all aspects of life, including sentient beings were reflected in all aspects of life, including arts and governmentarts and government

The flowering of art (painting in the case of Song Dynasty) is possible only The flowering of art (painting in the case of Song Dynasty) is possible only when it is provided sufficient patronage by the rich and wealthywhen it is provided sufficient patronage by the rich and wealthy

In the case of Song paintings, it was the imperial house that provided the In the case of Song paintings, it was the imperial house that provided the impetusimpetus

Patronage implies abundant wealth and leisurePatronage implies abundant wealth and leisure

It was during the Song period that an academy of painting was createdIt was during the Song period that an academy of painting was created

Connoisseurship of art was developed Connoisseurship of art was developed

Landscape painting was favorite subject of many artistsLandscape painting was favorite subject of many artists

Two formatsTwo formats Hanging scrollHanging scroll Hand scrollHand scroll

Monumental modeMonumental mode Attention to detailsAttention to details Creating a visual pathCreating a visual path Capturing ch’i, rather than just Capturing ch’i, rather than just

the physical form of the objectthe physical form of the object

"Early Spring," by Guo Xi, 1072 CE (Northern Song (Sung) Dynasty.  Hanging Scroll, ink and slight color on silk. 60" Long. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

Chinese hand scroll painting

Early Spring by Guo XiHanging scroll, ink and color on silk.

Northern Song Dynasty. 1072

Art of the Literati school: landscape painting. Summer Mountains, Northern Song dynasty, 11th century, Attributed to Qu Ding, Hand scroll; ink and pale color on silk.

Clearing Autumn Skies over Mountains and Valleys by Kuo Hsi, Northern Song Dynasty c. 1070, detail from a horizontal scroll

Chinese artists of the Song period were concerned with Chinese artists of the Song period were concerned with aesthetic devices, not necessarily Western idea of reality, aesthetic devices, not necessarily Western idea of reality, including perspectiveincluding perspective

Some of the Chinese conventional devises include:Some of the Chinese conventional devises include: Tilting of the foregroundTilting of the foreground

Flatting of the backgroundFlatting of the background

The Chinese artists speak about a landscape that is good to walk inThe Chinese artists speak about a landscape that is good to walk in

They also talk about walking through the painting and seeing this They also talk about walking through the painting and seeing this and thatand that

This leads to detailing in the landscapeThis leads to detailing in the landscape

The path needs to be visually importantThe path needs to be visually important

One of the tests of authenticity for a Song painting is the One of the tests of authenticity for a Song painting is the believability of the landscape as a place to walk inbelievability of the landscape as a place to walk in

One must not climb a rock and find nothing behind itOne must not climb a rock and find nothing behind it

Each part of the painting is a separate part, but each part fits into the Each part of the painting is a separate part, but each part fits into the whole and the whole is the sum of the parts with nothing left overwhole and the whole is the sum of the parts with nothing left over

Creating balance and harmony was importantCreating balance and harmony was important

Awe inspiring of the mountainAwe inspiring of the mountain

Solidity of the mountain expresses old age, time, wisdom, power, Solidity of the mountain expresses old age, time, wisdom, power, authority, indestructibility, immobility (i.e. permanence)authority, indestructibility, immobility (i.e. permanence)

Travelers among Mountains and Streams by Fan

KuanSong Dynasty, 11th century, hanging scroll