Ancient Chinese art

Magazine Antiques, Sept, 1998 by Allison Eckardt Ledes

The exhibition was organized by the Dayton Art Institute in Ohio, where it was earlier on view. It is entitled Eternal China: Splendors from the First Dynasties and treats the pre-Qin period (383-221 B.C.), the Qin dynasty (221-206 B.C.), Western Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 9), Xin era (A.D. 9-23), and Eastern Han dynasty (A.D. 25-220). The objects in the exhibition were discovered in Shaanxi Province, where the Qin and Han rulers established their capitals. Many were excavated during the past twenty years and are exhibited and discussed in the catalogue in the archaeological context in which they were found. Aside from the terra-cotta soldiers, the exhibition includes stone and bronze sculptures and objects of gold, jade, and earthenware.

China experienced a rebirth and enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity during the Qin dynasty. The country was unified in 221 B.C. under the reign of Qin Shihuang, who established his capital at Xianyang. Qin's role was short-lived, but major building projects were initiated, such as the Great Wall, palaces and gardens, and the emperor's own tomb.

The Han dynasty began when Liu Bang (later known as Emperor Gao) suppressed the Qin army in 206 B.C., establishing his capital at Chang'an. Emperor Wu, who was particularly interested in perpetuating his name, directed numerous construction projects in the capital. In A.D. 9 Wang Mang usurped the throne and inaugurated the Xin (New) dynasty, also known as the Wang Mang Interregnum. By A.D. 25 Liu Xiu, a landowner, founded the Eastern Han dynasty in Loyi (now - known as Luoyang) in Henan Province. Art objects found in tombs dating to this period demonstrate an increasing sense of realism. The survival of models of houses and farm buildings fashioned in earthenware, have left us a good sense of the architectural styles prevalent during the Eastern Han dynasty.

Perhaps the most tantalizing bit of information to be gleaned from the catalogue is that archaeologists have only scratched the surface of what is known to exist underground in China. Indeed, the tomb of the emperor Qin Shihuang itself is still untouched. The enormous amount of material already unearthed requires much scientific analysis and historical interpretation before archaeologists can carefully and methodically begin to examine new sites.

The catalogue of the exhibition, edited by Li Jian, the curator of the exhibition, contains contributions by Li Jian and four other scholars. It may be obtained from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art store at 805-963-4364, extension 354.