Sources of Han Décor : foreign influence on the Han Dynasty Chinese iconography of paradise (206 BC - AD 220)

"Using archaeological data to examine the development of Han dynasty Chinese art (206 BC - AD 220), Sources of Han Décor focusses on three major iconographies (the animal master, the tree of life, and animal predation), together with a series of minor motifs (particularly the griffin and a number of vegetal forms). All of these are combined in what may be considered the most important iconographic creation of the Han: images of paradise. While influence from the Chinese Bronze Age (especially, c. the 14th - 3rd centuries BC) on Han art is expected, a surprisingly profound debt to Greece, the Near East, and the steppe is evident not only in the art of the Han era, but in that of the preceding Eastern Zhou (c. 771 - 221 BC). Initial Eastern Zhou incorporation of this largely-Western influence appears concentrated in chronological parallel to the Orientalization of Greek art (c. the 7th century BC) and the eastern spread of Hellenism (c. the 4th century BC), followed by repeated introduction of foreign motifs during the Han, when these influences were fully integrated into Chinese art."--publisher Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents Page List of Maps and Figures Figure 1. Mawangdui (Changsha Municipality, Hunan) M1 black lacquered coffin. Hunansheng 1973, Vol. 1, Fig. 17 (insert after p. 16), detail. Figure. 2. Northwestern Iran bronze vase, ca. 10-8 c. B.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1964. Accession Number 64.257.1a, b. www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/325693. Figure. 3. Cyprus, hematite cylinder seal, ca. 14 c. B.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gift of Nanette B. Kelekian, in memory of Charles Dikran and Beatrice Kelekian, 1999. Accession number 1999.325.223. www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/32781 Figure. 4. Gaozhuang (Huaiyin Municipality, Jiangsu) M1:114-2 incised bronze fragment. Huaiyin 1988, p. 209, Fig. 22. Figure. 5. Jiagezhuang (Tangshan Municipality, Hebei) M5 copper-inlaid bronze hu. An Zhimin 1953, p. 86, Fig. 11. Figure. 6. Mancheng (Hebei) M2:3004 partially-silvered bronze boshanlu incense burner. Zhongguo shehui kexueyuan 1980, Vol. 1, p. 257, Fig. 171. Figure. 7. Gaozhuang (Huaiyin Municipality, Jiangsu) M1:0137 incised bronze fragment. Huaiyin 1988, p. 204, Fig. 17. Figure. 8. Nanyang (Henan) stamped brick. Nanyang 1990, Pl. 181. Figure. 9. Nimrud carved stone (gypsum alabaster), Neo-Assyrian, ca. 883-859 B.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gift of John D. Rockefeller Jr., 1932. Accession number 32.143.3. www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/322610. Figure. 10. Liulige (Huixian, Henan) hu M59:23 (bronze). Guo Baojun 1959, Pl. 93. Figure. 11. Hanjiaqu (Yishui, Shandong), stone bas relief. Zhongguo meishu 1988, p. 45, Pl. 54. Figure. 12. Hejiagou (Suide, Shaanxi) stone bas relief. Shaanxi 1959, p. 39, Pl. 28. Figure. 13. Yanjiacha (Suide, Shaanxi) stone bas relief. Zhongguo meishu 1988, p. 67, Pl. 79. Figure. 14. Xindu (Sichuan) stamped brick. Zhongguo meishu 1988, p. 173, Pl. 216. Figure. 15. Songshan (Jiaxiang, Shandong) stone bas relief. Zhongguo meishu 1988, p. 2, Pl. 2. Figure. 16. Yingzhuang (Nanyang Municipality, Henan) stone bas relief. Wang and Shan 1990, Pl. 248. Figure. 17. Daodunzi (Tongxin, Ningxia) M10:33, Xiongnu bronze plaque. Ningxia 1988B, p. 345, Fig. 10:6. Figure. 18. Suide (Shaanxi) stone bas relief. Shaanxi 1959, p. 109, Fig. 111-112. Figure. 19. Maquan (Xianyang Municipality, Shaanxi) lacquered lian toiletries box. Xianyangshi 1979, p. 133, Fig. 11, especially Fig. 11:1, 4, 7, 8. Figure. 20. Greek or Boeotian calyx-krater, red figure terra cotta, ca. early 4 c. B.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Rogers Fund 1957. Accession number 57.11.3. www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/254930. Figure. 21. Pingshuo (Shanxi) 6M50:8, gilded bronze plaque. Pingshuoxian 1987, p. 12, Fig. 32. Figure. 22. Yangzishan (Chengdu Municipality, Sichuan) M1, stone bas relief. Zhongguo meishu 1988, pp. 86-87, Pl. 102, detail. Figure. 23. Jiunüdun (Suining, Xuzhou Municipality, Jiangsu) stone bas relief. Jiangsusheng 1959, Pl. 23, Fig. 27. Figure. 24. Xichagou (Xifeng, Liaoning), Xiongnu bronze plaque. Tian and Guo 1986, p. 73, Fig. 39:2. Figure. 25. Erlanhugou 二蘭虎溝 (Qahar [Chaha’er] Right Rear Banner 察哈爾右翼後旗, Inner Mongolia), Xianbei bronze plaque. Tian and Guo 1986, p. 79, Fig. 46:1. Figure. 26. Liulige (Huixian, Henan) M76:85, bronze hu. Guo Baojun 1959, Pl. 103:1. Figure. 27. Mancheng (Hebei) M1:2250, gilded bronze harness ornament. Zhongguo shehui kexueyuan 1980, Vol. 1, p. 201, Fig. 136:1. Figure. 28. Yaozhuang (Hanjiang, Yangzhou Municipality, Jiangsu) M101:190, lacquer lian with silver fittings and carnelian inlay. Yangzhou 1988, p. 38, Fig. 30. Figure. 29. Qinglongshan (Pei xian, Xuzhou Municipality, Jiangsu) stone bas relief. Nanjing 1984, p. 25, Fig. 8. Figure. 30. Noyon uul (Batsumber, Tuv, Mongolia) M6:254, silver plaque. Rudenko 1962, Pl. XXXVII:3. Figure. 31. Western Iran bronze beaker, Iron Age II (ca. 10-9 c. B.C.). The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1948. Accession number 48.178.1. www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/324053, additional image 4. Figure. 32. Dyrestuj (Burjatija [Russia]) bronze plaque. Rudenko 1969, Pl. XXXVIII:1. Figure. 33. Unprovenanced (“Ordos”) Xiongnu bronze plaque. Tian and Guo 1986, p. 94, Fig. 62:2. Figure. 34. Shuihudi (Yunmeng, Hubei) M47:93, carved wood comb. Hubeisheng 1986, p. 515, Fig. 38.5. Figure. 35. Jiawang (Tongshan, Xuzhou Municipality, Jiangsu) stone bas relief. Jiangsusheng 1959, Pl. 71, Fig. 91. Figure. 36. Aluchaideng (Hanggin Banner, Inner Mongolia) Xiongnu gold plaque. Tian and Guo 1986, p. 345, fig. 2:4. Figure. 37. Sanlidun (Lianshui, Jiangsu) gold garment hook. Nanjing 1973, p. 83, Fig. 4:7. Figure. 38. Shaogou (Luoyang Municipality, Henan) M1028A:14, earthenware model well. Zhongguo kexueyuan 1959, p. 129, Fig. 61. Figure. 39. Zhangxu (Suining, Xuzhou Municipality, Jiangsu) stone bas relief. Xuzhoushi 1985, Pl. 254. Figure. 40. Luoyang (Henan) hollow brick. Zhou Dao et al. 1985, Pl. 3, detail, left-hand page. Figure. 41. Aluchaideng (Hanggin Banner, Inner Mongolia) Xiongnu gold plaque, inlaid with turquoise and red stone. Tian and Guo 1986, Col. Pl. 16:1, right. Figure. 42. Thracian silver goblet, ca. 4 c. B.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Rogers Fund, 1947. Accession number 47.100.88. www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/324029. Figure. 43. Mancheng (Hebei) M2:3032, gilded bronze double cup stand, inlaid with turquoise, jade rings. Zhongguo shehui kexueyuan 1980, Vol. 2, Col. Pl. 25. Figure. 44. Shilipu (Xuzhou Municipality, Jiangsu) stone bas relief. Xuzhoushi 1985, Pl. 25. Figure. 45. Tomb of Lord Feng or his consort (Tanghe [Nanyang Municipality, Henan]) stone bas relief. Nanyang 1980, p. 244, Fig. 8:2. Figure. 46. Greek situla, South Italian, Apulian, attributed to the Lycurgus Painter; red figure terracotta, ca. 360-340 B.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Fletcher Fund, 1956. Accession number 56.171.64. www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/2549 Figure. 47. Pazyryk kurgan 2 copper plaque. Rudenko 1953, p. 129, Fig. 75. Figure. 48. Aluchaideng (Hanggin Banner, Inner Mongolia) Xiongnu gold headdress. Tian and Guo 1986, p. 344, Fig. 1:4. Figure. 49. Pazyryk kurgan 2 torque, gilded wood and horn on a copper ring (reconstruction). Rudenko 1953, p. 133, Fig. 79. Figure. 50. Left Wu Family Shrine (Jiaxiang, Shandong), stone 2 (bas relief). Liu and Yue 1991, pp. 92-93, detail. Figure. 51. Pazyryk kurgan 1 leather appliqués on a felt saddle blanket. Rudenko 1953, p. 280, Fig. 163. Figure. 52. Shuanggou (Suining, Xuzhou Municipality, Jiangsu) stone bas relief. Jiangsusheng 1959, Pl. 67, Fig. 86 (bottom). Figure. 53. Taishang (Tongshan, Xuzhou Municipality, Jiangsu) stone bas relief. Xuzhoushi 1985, Pl. 176. Figure. 54. Daodunzi (Tongxin, Ningxia) M19:9, gilded bronze plaque. Ningxia 1988B, p. 344, Fig. 9:13 (published upside down). Figure. 55. Pad’ Sudži (Burjatija) bronze appliqué. Rudenko 1962, Pl. XXXII:3. Figure. 56. Archaic Greek or Cretan black-figured terracotta hydria (water jar), attributed to the Eagle Painter, ca. 520–510 B.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Fletcher Fund, 1964. Accession number 64.11.1. www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25 Figure. 57. Zhengzhou (Henan) hollow brick. Zhou Dao et al. 1985, Pl. 206. Figure. 58. Zengjiabao (Chengdu Municipality, Sichuan) M1 stone bas relief. Chengdushi 1981, p. 27, Fig. 5. Figure. 59. Zhengzhou (Henan) stamped brick. Zhou Dao et al. 1985, Pl. 204. Figure. 60. Noyon uul (Batsumber, Tuv, Mongolia) M25:22, bronze fitting. Rudenko 1962, Pl. XXXIII:2. Figure. 61. Stag rhyton, gilded silver inlaid with garnet and glass, inscribed in Aramaic (or Persian?); Near Eastern (Parthian), ca. 50 B.C.-50 A.D. J. Paul Getty Museum, accession number 86.AM.753. Digital image courtesy of the Getty’s Open Content Pro Figure. 62. Xiaotianxi (Fuling, Sichuan) M3:23, silver-inlaid bronze, ca. Middle-Late Warring States; Sichuan 1974, p. 67, Fig. 6. Figure. 63. Mashan (Jiangling, Jingzhou Municipality, Hubei) M1, N2, embroidered silk. Hubeisheng 1985, p. 58, Fig. 45. Figure. 64. Mashan (Jiangling, Jingzhou Municipality, Hubei) M1, N7, embroidered silk. Hubeisheng 1985, Fig. 46 (insert after p. 58), reproduced here upside-down relative to the original publication. Figure. 65. Mashan (Jiangling, Jingzhou Municipality, Hubei) M1, N9, embroidered silk. Hubeisheng 1985, Col. Pl. 28:3. Figure. 66. Dahuting (Mixian, Henan) M2 painted ceiling. An and Wang 1972, Pl. 7:6, detail. Figure. 67. Wu family Front shrine (Jiaxiang, Shandong) stone bas relief. Liu and Yue 1991, p. 79. Figure. 68. Jiunüdun (Suining, Xuzhou Municipality, Jiangsu) stone bas relief. Xuzhoushi 1985, Pl. 129. Figure. 69. Ionian (East Greek) terracotta oinochoe, ca. 625 B.C. J. Paul Getty Museum, accession number 81.AE.83. Digital image courtesy of the Getty’s Open Content Program. www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/9694/unknown-maker-oinochoe-east-greek-m Maps Abbreviations Chronologies Early China Egypt Greece (art historical) Mesopotamian (Key Dates) Chinese Vessel Names Introduction I: Major Iconographies Chapter 1 Eastern Zhou Context Chapter 2 The Animal Master Chapter 3 Developments Related to the Animal Master Lesser Deities Man-Animal Combat Human Activity Kavaem Khvareno Specific Artistic Conventions Flying Gallop Parthian Shot Three-Quarter View Chapter 4 Tree of Life Mountainous Landscapes Chapter 5 Animal Predation The Bird Head II: Decorative Elements Chapter 6 Fantastic Elements Chapter 7 Plant Motifs Conclusion Selected References "Using archaeological data to examine the development of Han dynasty Chinese art (206 BC - AD 220), Sources of Han Décor focusses on three major iconographies (the animal master, the tree of life, and animal predation), together with a series of minor motifs (particularly the griffin and a number of vegetal forms). All of these are combined in what may be considered the most important iconographic creation of the Han: images of paradise. While influence from the Chinese Bronze Age (especially, c. the 14th - 3rd centuries BC) on Han art is expected, a surprisingly profound debt to Greece, the Near East, and the steppe is evident not only in the art of the Han era, but in that of the preceding Eastern Zhou (c. 771 - 221 BC). Initial Eastern Zhou incorporation of this largely-Western influence appears concentrated in chronological parallel to the Orientalization of Greek art (c. the 7th century BC) and the eastern spread of Hellenism (c. the 4th century BC), followed by repeated introduction of foreign motifs during the Han, when these influences were fully integrated into Chinese art."--publisher