Nanyang Han Reliefs Collection (Vol. 1 & 2)

Author: Sun Wenqing
Publisher: Guangling Book Society
Publication Date: 1999-07-01
Features: Nanyang Han Reliefs Collection, compiled by Sun Wenqing during the Republic of China era. This book collects 145 stone rubbings of Han reliefs from the Nanyang region of Henan Province. In China, stone reliefs were primarily used for decorating tombs, and their artistic achievements were most prominent during the Han Dynasty and the Northern and Southern Dynasties periods. This era not only saw a large quantity and wide distribution of reliefs but also produced many masterpieces. The content of these reliefs is rich, reflecting various aspects of the society, politics, culture, and economy of the time, including mythological stories, astronomy and geography, rare birds and animals, and celestial phenomena; loyal officials and filial sons, as well as virtuous women; as well as agricultural and hunting scenes, social gatherings, and welcoming ceremonies. The distribution of Han stone relief tombs is relatively widespread, but they are mostly concentrated in the central plains regions of economically developed areas such as Henan, Shandong, northern Anhui, northern Hubei, and northern Jiangsu. Henan Nanyang is a particularly concentrated area for Han stone reliefs, where more than 270 Han tomb stone reliefs have been documented. The finest examples of these are included in this book. Our society has published a photolithographic reproduction of the Republic of China edition, providing scholars for research, enthusiasts for appreciation, and collectors for preservation.