China: Dawn of a Golden Age, 200-750 AD

by James C.Y. Watt, An Jiayao (Contributor), Angela Falco Howard (Contributor)

From the fall of the Han dynasty at the turn of the third century to the eventual reunification of the country under the Sui at the turn of the seventh century, China experienced a tumultuous and fascinating political and cultural history. The political fragmentation that occurred between the dynasties and the massive migration of nomadic peoples into China resulted in contact with people from every part of Asia and the introduction of foreign ideas, religion, art forms, and motifs. Out of this grew the magnificent art of Tang China in the early eighth century. This book is the first comprehensive survey of Chinese art during this complex era. Lavishly illustrated and produced, the volume presents more than three hundred recent archaeological including gold artifacts made by the nomadic peoples from Mongolia, luxury articles of glass and precious metals from Western and Central Asia, early Chinese Buddhist sculptures, and spectacular works in every medium from the Tang period. Essays by distinguished scholars provide a historical background, discuss the various media, and trace the changes in art styles over a period that saw a radical modification of Chinese civilization. In the great tradition of publications on Chinese art from the Metropolitan Museum, Dawn of a Golden Age will become an essential text for years to come.

Genres: History, China, Art

416 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore books like these. I was not able to see this exhibit, so it was nice to find this book and see all the pieces which would have been at the exhibit in NYC, including information about the background of the pieces. This exhibit focused on the history of China from near the fall of the Han Dynasty to the height of the Tang Dynasty, and it's a period in Chinese history I haven't studied much. A great book and one I enjoyed reading.

[Eadweard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art and History in China from the 3rd century through the 8th century

Central Asian Metalwork in China

The Art of Glass Along the Silk Road

The Evolution of Textiles Along The Silk Road

Buddha Images of the Northern Plain, 4th-6th Centuries



CATALOGUE:

I. Late Han, Late 2nd-Early 3rd Century

II. The Coming of the Xianbei

III. Early Northern Wei Dynasty

IV. The Western Regions and the Way Thither

V. South China, 3rd-6th Centuries

VI. Luoyang and After, 6th Century in the North

VII. Arts of the Sui and Early Tang Dynasties, 581-755