ancient
- In the discipline of art history, typically refers to the period in Europe, Asia Minor, and north Africa, prior to the fall of the western Roman Empire. The term is also sometimes applied more generally to prehistory and to early cultures in other areas of the world.
Chinese
- Describes works created by the people of the same name living in China.
decorative arts
- Refers to works that are primarily utilitarian in form or function, but that have aesthetic value provided by the design, decoration, or embellishment. They may include ceramics, furniture, and other household or utilitarian objects. They are distinct from "fine arts," which were traditionally considered to require more extensive training and were restricted to the media of painting, sculpture, drawing, and architecture.
sculpture (visual work)
- Works of art in which images and forms are produced in relief, in intaglio, or in the round. It refers especially to those objects that retain the quality of being tangible objects or groups of objects. It refers particularly to art works created by carving or engraving a hard material, by molding or casting a malleable material, or by assembling parts to create a three-dimensional object. It is typically used to refer to large or medium-sized objects made of stone, wood, bronze, or another metal. Small objects are typically referred to as "carvings." As works become more diffused in space or time, or less tangible, use specific terms, such as "mail art" or "environmental art."
Six Dynasties
- Refers to a period of four centuries in southern Chinese history after the overthrow of the Han dynasty in 220 CE and before the Sui dynasty (ca. 589 CE). During this time, rival clans tried to control portions of the Han empire. Chinese art was influenced during this time by new ideas, especially religious developments. Buddhism, which came to China from neighboring India, had the most profound effect on Six Dynasties art; by the fourth century there was an established category of Chinese Buddhist art. The monastery at Dunhuang in western China preserves notable wall paintings. Monumental sculpture, a tradition brought to China from northern India, became popular, as is evidenced in the massive stone carvings of Buddhist deities in the mountains of Shaanxi and Henan provinces. Wooden pagodas, based on both the stupa of India and the towers of the Han dynasty, were an important architectural development of the period. The native belief systems of Confucianism and Taoism also fostered new subject matter and styles. The Confucian ideal was most popularly expressed in scenes of filial piety while Taoist artists favored landscapes and folk legends. Secular artistic traditions also underwent changes, particularly in the realm of painting. Gu Kaizhi, considered the father of Chinese landscape painting, was active during this period. Noteworthy advances in ceramics in southern China were also made, most notably in the green-glazed stoneware called Yueh-yao or "Yueh ware," a durable ceramic that was eventually exported to places as distant as Egypt and the Philippines. It was during this period that gentlemen-painters and calligraphers and great private art collections first emerged in China. Literary and art criticism also developed.
stone (rock)
- General term for rock that has been cut, shaped, crushed, or otherwise formed for use in construction or other purposes. Includes the specific archaeological and anthropological sense of individual stones which may be decorated or ornamented and which may be used in ritual contexts. These are usually not carved or dressed, and so differ from sculptures made from stone.
stoneware (pottery)
- A type of pottery midway between earthenware and porcelain being made of clay and a fusible stone. It is fired to a point where partial vitrification renders it impervious to liquids, but, unlike porcelain, it is very seldom more than faintly translucent. The vitrification makes it unnecessary to add a glaze, but for reasons of utility and appearance decorative glazes are sometimes used, such as salt glaze and lead glaze.
three-dimensional
- Having, or appearing to have, the three dimensions of length, width, and height.
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Dimensions
overall
Dimensions: 6 1/2 x 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (165 x 191 x 191 mm)
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