Ming and Qing Dynasty Hook Appreciation

Author: Yao Gongyou
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: ★16K hardcover, 1st edition, 1st printing by Xiling Seal Society. The author has dedicated 30 years to collecting and researching Chinese folk artifacts, establishing a specialized collection series of Ming and Qing dynasty bed hooks. Bed hooks embody the essence of Chinese cultural traditions, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and universal appeal. Each hook in the book is accompanied by clear images and detailed descriptions, including the era, material, and market reference price, serving as a tribute to national cultural heritage and a valuable guide for collectors. Bed hooks are widely used daily items in folk culture, born with the bed and indispensable for households. In the past, northern Chinese people slept on heated platforms (kang) without bed curtains, making bed hooks rare. In the Yangtze and Pearl River basins, people slept on high-frame beds and used bed curtains, making bed hooks essential household items. Though small, bed hooks carry rich cultural connotations and aesthetic value, embodying the spirit of traditional Chinese civilization. In recent years, with the expansion of artifact collection and appreciation, bed hooks have also attracted the attention and affection of collectors. The author, Yao Gongyou, spent ten years traveling across remote villages in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, as well as Yunnan and Guizhou, diligently searching and collecting hundreds of exquisite bed hooks from the Ming and Qing dynasties. His dedication, effort, expertise, and extensive collection are truly admirable.