Ancient Goldware
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Summary
Editor's review
The value of reading this book lies in the fact that it goes beyond a mere listing of objects and, through goldware as a medium, reflects the evolution of ancient Chinese craft techniques, traces of Sino-foreign cultural exchange, and the aesthetic tastes of aristocratic life. The book's detailed explanations of techniques such as "filigree," "granulation," and "chasing," accompanied by clear line drawings and photographs of actual objects, allow readers to intuitively appreciate the wisdom of ancient artisans. Particularly valuable is the author's in-depth analysis of the material interaction between goldware and jade and bronze, as well as its use in sacrifices, banquets, and clothing, presenting a three-dimensional and vivid picture of material culture.
For readers who wish to understand the art of ancient Chinese luxury goods, the history of craft, or material culture, this is a rigorous and inspiring introductory work. It avoids the dryness of excessive academicism, unfolding specialized knowledge in plain language while maintaining solid evidential scholarship. The book's discussion of the symbolic meaning of gold in Chinese culture can also prompt reflection on ancient values and the philosophy of art.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in ancient Chinese arts and crafts and material culture
- Beginners or enthusiasts in the fields of cultural relics, archaeology, and art history
- Those who wish to systematically understand the development of goldware and related authentication knowledge
- Readers who enjoy exploring historical and social life through the details of objects
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking light, entertaining reading
- Buyers of art albums expecting a large number of high-definition color plates
Reading tips
- Can be read alongside a general history of ancient China or dynastic histories to deepen understanding of the historical background of goldware.
- Focus on the evolution of craft techniques across different periods, as this is the core thread for understanding the art of goldware.
- The book contains many specialized terms; taking notes as appropriate is recommended for later reference and review.
About the publisher
Jilin Literature and History Publishing House is a professional publisher specializing in literature, history, and social science titles, with publishing areas covering culture, theory, historical reading, military affairs, classical poetry, and medicine. Its list includes historical and military works such as National History 001: The Tragedy of the Southern Ming and Naval Battles 006: The Russian Navy before and after the Russo-Japanese War, as well as the "Chinese Culture Knowledge Reader" series, which covers Sun Tzu and military thought, ancient tea ware and Zisha art, Song Huizong Zhao Ji's contributions to painting, the Book of Songs, and Hai Rui. Medical works such as How a Famous Doctor Diagnoses Patients are also represented. Authors include Jin Kaicheng, Yang Liang, Zha Youyin, Luo Dalun, Zhiwen Fenghuo Studio, and Theodore Dodge. The press combines the popularization of literary and historical knowledge with focused research, forming a publishing profile centered on traditional culture readers and balancing academic and general reading.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 《中国文化知识读本》编委会
- 关于《中国文化知识读本》
- 一 略谈黄金
- 二 金器史
- （一）商代金器
- （二）西周金器
- （三）春秋战国金器
- （四）秦代金器
- （五）汉代金器
- （六）魏晋南北朝金器
- （七）隋代金器
- （八）唐代金器
- （九）宋代金器
- （十）辽金西夏金器
- （十一）元代金器
- （十二）明代金器
- （十三）清代金器
- 三 金器的分类
- （一）茶具
- （二）法器
- （三）盥洗器
- （四）食器
- （五）饰件
- （六）药具
- （七）饮器
- （八）杂器
- 四 古代著名金器
- 五 金器的鉴别
FAQ
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About the author
Yu Yuan is a Chinese popular-science writer and freelance author from Jilin who began publishing in 1960. He has long devoted himself to making traditional Chinese culture accessible to general readers and is the author of more than one hundred books totaling over nine million characters, including The Four Great Strange Cases of the Late Qing Dynasty, Anecdotes of Imperial Palaces Through the Ages, and The Story of Electricity and Magnetism. Public information about his life is limited. Judging from the twelve works held in the collection, his subjects range widely: inspirational and personal-growth reading for young people and general audiences, full-book reading assessments of classics, popular works on politics and social science such as Reading the Communist Manifesto and What Is Capitalism, and biographical material on Lenin's youth. His books on ancient goldware, silverware, firearms, and the history of the Paris Commune further reflect a sustained interest in history, culture, and cultural relics. Overall, his writing tends toward informative, accessible explanation, turning specialized topics into narratives that ordinary readers can readily follow.
