Chinese Art History

Yangling Mausoleum Location

Near Xi'an, Western Han Dynasty.

Yangling Mausoleum Excavation

141 BCE.

Yangling Mausoleum

Tomb for the Emperor and Empress.

what they found in the Yangling Mausoleum

Miniature figures, pots, chariots, jade armor, animals, and stoves.

Yangling Soldiers Composition

Clay bodies with wooden arms and silk or clay clothing.

Dog Figurines Representation

Mingqi (spirit objects) that served or protected the deceased.

Tea Leaves in Tombs

Show early Silk Road trade connections.

Mawangdui Tombs Location

Changsha, China.

Mawangdui Tombs Time Period

Western Han (around 168-113 BCE).

Number of Mawangdui Tombs

Three.

Objects Excavated from Mawangdui

Kitchenware, musical instruments, painted figures, lacquered racks, crossbow triggers.

Funerary Decoration Colors

Red, gold, and black (showed social hierarchy).

uses of Silk

Currency and decorative burial goods.

Mawangdui 'T' Banner Representation

Heaven, Earth, and Underworld — the universe and journey of the soul.

Jade Armor Rank Determination

The thread used (gold, silver, silk).

Jade Use in Coffins

As plugs, discs, and ornaments to protect the body from decay.

Han Dynasty Periods

Western Han (206 BCE-9 CE) and Eastern Han (25-220 CE).

Tao Symbolism

The way of life and balance between opposites.

Queen Mother of the West

A Taoist deity linked to immortality, living on Mount Kunlun or Mount Jade.

Silk Road Definition

Trade route connecting China to the West, opened by Zhang Qian.

Five Colors (Wuxing) Meanings

White = West/Metal, Black = North/Water, Yellow = Center/Earth, Green/Blue = East/Wood, Red = South/Fire.

Niya Five-Color Armguard

Contained Chinese symbols for planets.

Yingpan Man

A Caucasian male found in the Taklamakan Desert wearing Silk Road-influenced clothing.

Admonitions Scroll Artist

Attributed to Gu Kaizhi.

Admonitions Scroll Creation Date

6th-7th century CE (ca. 344-406).

where is the Admonitions Scroll

The British Museum.

Purpose of Admonitions Scroll

To teach moral conduct to women (Confucian values).

Admonitions Scroll Narrative Type

Synoptic (continuous storytelling).

Admonitions Scroll Painting Technique

Baimao — fine ink outlines without heavy color.

Figures in Admonitions Scroll

Appear to float due to empty space emphasizing spiritual harmony over realism.

Shared Scene with Sima Jinlong's Lacquered Screen

Scene 4.

Another Version of Admonitions Scroll

Song Dynasty copy in Beijing.

Boshanlu Definition

A mountain-shaped incense burner symbolizing paradise.

Boshanlu Influence

Later influenced roof decorations on the Forbidden City.

TLV Mirror Definition

A bronze mirror with T, L, and V patterns representing cosmic order.

TLV Mirror Symbolism

Heaven and Earth's cosmic structure.

Ming Tang Definition

"Bright Hall" — imperial hall symbolizing cosmic order.

Que Definition

Tower or gatepost that evolved into the Chinese pagoda.

Who unified China?

Qin Shi Huangdi

How did he unify China?

Standardized weights, measures, and language.

Seal Script

The script used by the Qin Dynasty.

Character for 'Qin'

Depicts two hands and crossbows (symbolizing fighting).

Terracotta Army discovery year

1974.

Purpose of the Terracotta Army

To protect the emperor in the afterlife.

Soldier production method

Mass-produced clay parts; hand-sculpted faces; kiln-fired.

Rank indication

Shown by hairstyles, armor, and headpieces.

Weapons found in the Terracotta Army

Arrows, crossbows, halberds (in perfect condition).

Bronze chariots

Two chariots — one open, one covered — encased in boxes for 2,000 years.

Pit 1 contents

Over 6,000 soldiers, chariots, and infantry.

Soldier arrangement in Pit 1

3 rows of archers, followed by infantry and generals.

Size of Pit 1

230 m × 62 m.

Pit 2 representation

A military camp (1,000 warriors, 80 chariots).

Pit 3 purpose

Army headquarters (68 warriors, 1 chariot).

Most famous find in Marquis Yi's tomb

96 musical instruments (64 bells, 32 chimes).

Bronze bells symbolism

Status, ritual, and musical sophistication.

Most important bronze vessel

The Ding (caldron).

Nine caldrons representation

Authority of the 'Son of Heaven' (the Emperor).

Sanxingdui culture existence period

12th-11th century BCE.

Sanxingdui location

Near the Jian River.

Sanxingdui bronzes

Large masks covered in gold.

Earliest brush paintings materials

Silk and sea shells.

Earliest brush paintings scenes

Silk: Emperor & Empress as dragons; Shells: Hunting scenes.

First 3 pre-imperial dynasties of China

Xia, Shang, and Zhou.

Xia dynasty time period

2100-1600 BCE

Shang time period

1600-1046 BCE

Zhou time period

1046-256 BCE

Unique aspect of the Xia Dynasty

Semi-legendary first dynasty.

Shang Dynasty known for

Bronze and oracle bones.

Zhou Dynasty introduction

The 'Mandate of Heaven' and feudal rule.

iconic/Key Neolithic culture

Banpo Culture (ca. 4500-3750 BCE).

Banpo house type

Round clay houses with moats around the village.

Banpo society type

Matriarchal.

Banpo Village period

ca. 4800-3600 BCE.

Banpo main lifestyle

Farming (millet), fishing, and hunting.

Materials used for Banpo houses

Clay and wood.

Banpo village surroundings

A defensive ditch/moat

Main pottery styles

Painted Pottery (Yangshao) and Black Pottery (Longshan).

Painted Pottery/Yangshao description

Red clay with black geometric or animal designs.

Black Pottery/Longshan description

Thin, glossy, wheel-made, used for rituals or elites.

Types of jade used (early China then later)

Nephrite and jadeite.

Main functions of jade

Ritual, burial protection, status symbol, decoration.

Taotie

A mask-like mythical creature on Shang and Zhou bronzes.

Taotie symbolism

Power, mystery, and protection.

Taotie usage

On ritual vessels connecting humans and spirits.

Bronze composition

Copper and tin.

Bronze uses

Weapons, tools, and ritual vessels.

Main bronze casting techniques

Piece-mold casting (Shang/Zhou) and Lost-wax casting (later periods).