Chinese civilization is one of the oldest on earth. It originated about 6000 years ago and significantly influenced the development of the peoples inhabiting other Far Eastern countries. The Chinese managed to achieve success in various fields of human activity, among which art was always assigned one of the first places. The modern understanding of the art of ancient China is formed mainly on the basis of studies of ancient burials.
Instruction manual
1
In 5 - 3 c. BC. the territory of China was inhabited by tribes that created settlements from small adobe huts. They were engaged in agriculture and cattle breeding, owned many crafts. The ceramics they created was called Yangshao. It is a vessel of pale yellow or reddish-brown burnt clay, characterized by an unusual regularity of forms. The vessels were covered with complex geometric patterns, consisting of triangles, spirals, circles and rhombs, as well as images of animals considered to be the patrons of the tribes.
2
In the 2nd century BC, in the valley of the Yellow River, the first slave state of Shan was formed. The most interesting works of art of this period were tombs. Their central chamber was located at a depth of about 10 m. There was a double sarcophagus in it, which was painted with paints and inlaid with mother of pearl. Numerous precious objects made of carved jade, snow-white ceramics, gold and jasper, as well as patterned bronze swords and other objects that were necessary for the afterlife, were placed in the burial. There were many luxurious bronze vessels decorated with the finest geometric patterns. As if from deep engraving, new relief patterns grew. Ceramic vessels of the Shang period were sometimes made in the form of animals and birds, which were considered the guardians of human life - owls, tapirs and tigers.
3
In the middle of the 1st century BC. the forms of bronze vessels are simplified, images of hunting scenes made in the technique of inlaying non-ferrous metals replace the most complex relief ornament. There are many exquisite items intended for the nobility. Among them are round bronze mirrors, which were polished on the front side and inlaid with silver and gold on the back, lacquered furniture and musical instruments, carved wood and stone products.
4
Art of Ancient China reached the highest rise in the 1st century. BC. - 3 in. AD Burials of this period are distinguished by a special scale. Noble people were buried in huge tombs, the walls of which were laid out with ceramic or stone slabs, and the ceilings were supported by columns ending with a pair of dragons. The Alley of Spirits guarding the graves led to the burial, framed by statues of animals. It was possible to enter its inner part through stone doors, on which four watchmen of the cardinal points were depicted: a tiger (west), a phoenix (south), a dragon (east) and a turtle (north). In the burials were painted clay models of residential interiors, reproducing in great detail the life of the Han period. They found bronze mirrors with various relief patterns, censers in the form of the "heavenly" sacred mountain of immortality Boshan, lamps depicting animals or graceful maidservants holding a lantern in their hand, bronze and clay vessels and figures of galloping horses, musicians, dancers and servants.
