Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture (Ahmanson-Murphy Fine Arts Book)
Sarah Handler
Austere Luminosity recognizes Chinese classical furniture as one of China's premier arts, unique in the furniture traditions of the world. In this beautiful book, Chinese furniture is placed in the context of the culture. The Chinese, from the 10th Century, were the only civilization outside of Europe in premodern times to adopt a daily lifestyle based on chairs, tables, and other accessories rather than the mats, cushions, and trays prevalent in the rest of the world. The Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties gave rise to fabulous rosewood furniture. Handler is a well-known expert on Chinese furniture, which is esteemed throughout the world for its beauty, functionalism, and influence on contemporary design aesthetics. TABLE OF CONTENTS: Acknowledgments Chronology of Dynasties Introduction: A Taste for Austere Luminosity REVOLUTION AND DISCOVERY
1. Rising from Mat to Chair: A Revolution in Chinese Furniture
2. A Ming Meditation Chair in Bauhaus Light
3. George Kates Discovering Chinese Furniture during the Years That Were Fat CHAIRS
4. A Yokeback Chair for Sitting Tall
5. The Folding Armchair: An Elegant Vagabond
6. The Lowback Armchair with Carvings of Bamboo, Magic Fungi, or the Three Friends of Winter
7. A Ubiquitous Stool BEDS
8. Life on a Platform
9. A Couchbed Day and Night for Comfort and Joy
10. The Canopy Bed: A Little World Made Cunningly TABLES
11. On a New World Arose a Kang Table
12. A Square Table Where the Immortals Dine
13. A Clean Table by a Bright Window
14. The Side Table: A Surface for Treasures and Gods CABINETS AND SCREENS
15. Cabinets and Shelves Containing All Things in China
16. The Screen: A Movable Wall to Divide, Enhance, and Beautify STANDS
17. The Incense Stand and a Scholar's Mystical State
18. Lamp Stands and Lanterns: Carriers of Light
19. Perfumed Coals in Precious Braziers Burn
20. Washbasin Stands for Ablutions and Washing Clean Notes Works Cited Glossary-Index
417 pgs, 8.5x11, 118 color & 204 b&w photos, hardcover
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$70.00
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