Brick Carving - Ancient Chinese Architecture

Author: Zhang Daoyi
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This book classifies architectural brick carvings into five categories based on their location in the building and the availability of images: brick gate towers, screen walls, eaves ends and wall decorations, roof tiles and ridge animals, brick pagodas and archways, and others. It showcases the artistic charm of brick carvings through a large number of typical images and descriptions, providing an intuitive and visual understanding of architectural brick carvings. The analysis of brick carvings is primarily based on their content, architectural environment, cultural, and folk backgrounds, with concise and general introductions and explanations using limited text, allowing readers to grasp relevant knowledge and artistic appeal within a limited scope. Although the number of images included is limited, they represent certain regional, stylistic, and artistic technique characteristics, enabling readers to gain a systematic understanding of the overall picture of Chinese architectural brick carvings. This book is rich in images and text, combining artistic, educational, and popular elements, making it suitable for professionals in the brick carving industry. This series of ancient architectural sculpture not only collects images of "three carvings" (brick carving, stone carving, and wood carving) from various buildings and styles across the country but also provides comprehensive and categorized discussions. It serves as a systematic reference for the architectural and architectural history communities, while also offering opportunities for exploration and research by professionals in other art fields. Additionally, it can be a gateway for those interested in traditional Chinese culture and art to understand and appreciate Chinese sculpture, painting, architecture, folklore, handicrafts, and folk art. The compiler of this series believes that the concept of "using the old to serve the new" does not mean simply adopting something like a tool but rather involves cultural understanding, artistic integration, and flexible techniques, thereby achieving an elevation and re-creation process. This book is the "brick carving" volume in the series.
Eating, wearing, and housing are the three basic conditions for human survival. Regardless of the primitive diet of raw meat and blood and the wearing of animal skins or living in caves, since the advent of civilization, these three basic conditions have evolved alongside human development, lasting for thousands of years and continuously changing and progressing. In the relationship between humans and objects, creative wisdom demonstrates an extraordinary essence of power, not only meeting needs but also reflecting the infinite richness of needs and aesthetics. When we look back on history, we clearly recognize that it constitutes an important part of human civilization.
Regarding "eating," it encompasses not only food itself and cooking techniques but also dining customs, such as tableware, tea sets, and cooking utensils. "Wearing" has more variety and has always been linked to "adornments." From the ancient practice of "wearing flowing robes to govern the world" to today's "fashion shows," it reveals the social customs of each era, while also reflecting the influence of politics, economics, and other factors behind it. "Housing" includes all aspects of living but is more importantly about architecture. Among human creative activities, architecture stands out because it not only provides a place for habitation but also creates an ideal living and activity environment. From an artistic perspective, architecture is a fascinating topic that is endlessly discussable. Since ancient times, whether it is people's usage requirements or the principles architects adhere to, there has always been a unity of practicality and aesthetics. However, under the same principle, individuals, groups, and even entire nations have had different demands in different eras, leading to endless variations in adaptation.
When we stroll through the streets of a foreign land, the first thing we notice is the architectural style. Even for ourselves, we often identify different regions and cities based on their architectural features. Lu Xun once said, "The more distinctive a place's characteristics, the more likely it is to become part of the world." The reason and charm lie in this very principle. Chinese architecture has its own unique features. In ancient times, although all structures were primarily made of brick, stone, and earth, their styles varied greatly. As imperial architecture gradually standardized, folk structures such as siheyuan (courtyard houses), deep-lot houses, walled houses, suspended houses, and cave dwellings shone brilliantly.