Buddha statue

Author: Zhang Li
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: This is a series of concise and practical small books specially designed for beginners in the field of collection or those interested in playing with cultural artifacts. Carry a couple of them in your pocket, and you can hunt for antiques in the antique market by following the illustrations. Of course, you can also read them anytime and anywhere—after meals, between cups of tea, under the light, or before bed. The small format, light weight, and carefully selected items are designed to add no burden to your reading or use. Naturally, this series is not flawless like pure white jade. If placed on a bookshelf, it is not a shining masterpiece, and you shouldn’t expect it to add more scholarly charm to your study. However, a small desk accessory, easily picked up or set aside, still retains a touch of elegance even when the sky is clear and the moon is bright. In the 1930s and 1940s, the Commercial Press in Shanghai published a series titled "Myriad Libraries," edited by Mr. Wang Yunwu, which was a collection of many small books. Who among the older generation of readers doesn’t know Wang Yunwu or hasn’t read "Myriad Libraries"? If "Myriad Libraries" is considered a model for popular reading, then in the 21st century, it is still relevant because there are always more people who read thin books than those who read thick ones. Since the 1990s, with the rise of art auctions, people’s interests seem to have suddenly shifted from stocks and futures to antiques. For a time, the antique market became too hot and too chaotic, with both new and old, real and fake items flooding the scene. Not only did young people get confused, but even seasoned antique enthusiasts found themselves overwhelmed. In this sense, to get ahead, they must acquire a wealth of new knowledge and information resources. As a result, catalogues of collections, auction catalogues, appraisals and appreciations, and academic monographs flooded them like falling blossoms. Those with a little money in their pockets, who want to pick up bargains or buy mid-range antiques for play or investment, may, in the near future, see their eyesight improve and step into the professional ranks. But for now, what they need are intuitive, appropriately tiered, and easily explained popular reading materials—just as mentioned earlier, they can be used for hunting, leisure, or reading anytime and anywhere under the light or before bed. The planning, writing, and publication of this "Practical Guide to Collecting Cultural Artifacts" fundamentally meet the reading needs of these readers. Every line of text in this book is the accumulation of the author’s years of experience in appraisal work—a "condensed" work that could be expanded with just a little "watering." May readers not discard it lightly because of its size. When you find that a good book is worth reading ten times, the grooves in your brain will begin to form images of objects, features, and prices, and your collection will grow richer. Then, you’ll be ready to read thicker books. This book collects Buddha statues from the Northern Wei Dynasty to the Republic of China and the modern era, including price references, identification points, stylistic features, craftsmanship, decorative patterns, and material descriptions. Each illustration is accompanied by a magnified detail, with a unique layout that makes it highly valuable for reference.
How to Use This Book:
1. Object Names The names of the objects listed in this book follow generally accepted conventions. If there are multiple alternative names, the more common one is used.
2. Dynasties The dating of the main illustrations is based on the characteristics of the objects. For those with possible cross-dynastic origins, there are usually two methods: 1. Directly labeled; 2. Placed in the next dynasty.
3. Main Object of Explanation The main illustration is the primary object of textual explanation. The selection criteria for this image are mainly goods that are relatively high in demand in general-level antique markets, making them representative of common features. Second, the objects have been rigorously selected to minimize doubts about their authenticity. The publishers of this book have used advanced CTP technology to ensure high image clarity.
4. Auxiliary Images of Objects There are two types: 1. Magnified details of the main object; 2. Images of similar objects.
5. Identification Points The identification points listed around the main illustration are the author’s direct appraisal experience.
6. Object Knowledge This section explains knowledge related to the objects, including stylistic features, craftsmanship, decorative patterns, and materials, as well as related knowledge about appreciation.
7. Price Reference The prices mentioned in this book are generally based on market circulation prices and do not represent specific transaction agreements. The price reference for fakes is based on the general level of counterfeit production and is not related to high-quality fakes or crafts.
The "Practical Guide to Collecting Cultural Artifacts" series compilation includes 8 volumes: "Ceramics," "Jade," "Buddha Statues," "Furniture," "Bronze Mirrors," "Ancient Coins," "Inkstones," and "Nosegay Bottles."