"Antiques" refer to objects of historical, artistic, and cultural value left over from a bygone era. These items are usually dated and may have been used for a specific purpose or had a special meaning at the time.
Antiques can include various types of items such as art, furniture, ceramics, jewelry, coins, books, manuscripts, etc. They may be valued because of their historical background, rarity, craft quality, artistic value, or association with a particular person or event.
The value of antiques lies not only in their material itself, but also in the historical and cultural information they carry. They can provide an understanding of past societies, technologies, aesthetics, and lifestyles, and serve as important evidence for studying and understanding history.
In the world of collecting and trading, antiques are often seen as an asset with investment value. However, the valuation of antiques usually requires expertise and experience, as their value depends on several factors, such as the authenticity, integrity, rarity, market demand, etc.
It should be noted that there are risks such as difficulty in distinguishing authenticity and price fluctuations in the antique market, and you should be cautious when buying and collecting antiques, and seek professional appraisal and advice. At the same time, it is also an important responsibility to protect and pass on antiques to ensure that these precious cultural heritages are preserved and passed on to future generations.
The selection criteria for the top 10 antiques in China may vary from person to person, but here are the top 10 antiques that are recognized:
1. Qingming Riverside Map:
The famous paintings of Zhang Zeduan, a painter from the Northern Song Dynasty of China, belong to the national treasure-level cultural relics.
"Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival" is a famous painting by Zhang Zeduan, a painter of the Northern Song Dynasty of China. This painting depicts the prosperity of Bianjing (now Kaifeng, Henan), the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, during the Qingming Festival, showing the prosperity of the city, the richness of social life, and the style of architecture and customs at that time.
"Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival" adopts the composition method of scattered perspective, and integrates the complex scenery into a unified and varied picture, which is complex but not chaotic. There are many characters in the painting, different clothes, different expressions, interspersed with various activities, focusing on the plot, the composition is sparse and dense, full of rhythm and rhyme, and the brushwork is very ingenious.
The Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival is not only an outstanding work of painting and art, but also a true portrayal of ancient Chinese social life, which has important historical value for the study of urban economy, culture and social life in the Northern Song Dynasty. It is a classic in the history of Chinese painting and is known as one of the "Top Ten Famous Paintings in China".
There are 5 legendary stories of "Qingming Riverside Map":
1. The mystery of the author's life experience: There are few historical records of Zhang Zeduan, the author of "The Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival", and his life deeds are unknown, which makes his life history full of mystery.
2. The circulation of the scroll: The Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival has been owned by many collectors and emperors in history, and has experienced the baptism of war during the period, and was finally included in the Palace Museum, and its circulation process is also quite legendary.
3. Secrets in the scroll: Through an in-depth study of the Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival, researchers have discovered many details and secrets hidden in the scroll, such as shop signs and architectural styles that appear in the paintings, all of which reflect the social and economic conditions of the time.
4. There are many imitations: The artistic value and popularity of "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival" have led to a large number of imitations in history, and some of these imitations also have a certain artistic level and have become part of the legendary story of "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival".
5. Far-reaching influence: The Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival has had a profound impact on painting, art, and culture in later generations, and many artists have been inspired and influenced by it.
The above five legendary stories make "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival" not only a painting, but also a cultural symbol, carrying rich historical and cultural connotations.
2. Yue Wang Goujian Sword:
In the late Spring and Autumn Period, the bronze ware of the Yue Kingdom was known as "the first sword in the world".
The Yue Wang Goujian Sword is a late Spring and Autumn bronze of the Yue Kingdom, unearthed in 1965 in Tomb No. 1 of the Wangshan Chu Tomb Group, Jingzhou District, Jingzhou City, Hubei Province. This sword is 55.7 cm long, 4.6 cm wide, 8.4 cm long and weighs 875 grams.
The main material of the Yue King Goujian sword is bronze, and the sword body is covered with black diamond-shaped dark patterns, the front is inlaid with blue glass, and the back is inlaid with turquoise patterns. The front of the sword is restrained and the blade is sharp, reflecting the superb level of sword casting technology in Yue at that time.
This sword not only has high artistic value, but also an important material material for the study of the history and culture of Vietnam. It has witnessed the rise and fall of the Yue Kingdom and the legendary story of Goujian, which is of great significance for understanding the development of ancient Chinese bronzes and the characteristics of Wuyue culture. Today, the sword of King Goujian of Yue is collected in the Hubei Provincial Museum and is one of the "treasures of the museum".
The legendary story of the Yue King Goujian sword is mainly related to its excavation and preservation status, and there are the following 4:
1. Mysterious excavation: The sword of Goujian, the king of Yue, was unearthed in an ancient tomb of the Chu State in Jingzhou, Hubei. This ancient tomb has been stolen many times in history, but the sword of King Goujian of Yue has miraculously been preserved. Its excavation has given people a deeper understanding of the sword-forging technology and culture of the ancient Yue Kingdom.
2. Stainless steel after thousands of years: After more than 2,500 years, the sword of King Goujian of Yue is still clearly decorated and has no traces of rust, which makes people wonder how it is cast and preserved. Some believe that this may have something to do with the material of the sword, the casting process, and the burial environment.
3. Symbol of Goujian's revenge: Goujian, the king of Yue, is a famous monarch in Chinese history who tried his courage and finally succeeded in taking revenge. The sword of King Goujian of Yue, as his sword, is regarded as a symbol of his perseverance and success in revenge.
4. Testimony of cultural exchange: Located in the southeast region of China, Yue has extensive cultural exchanges with neighboring countries such as Chu State. The sword of Goujian, the king of Yue, was unearthed in the ancient tomb of the Chu State, indicating that the cultural influence of the Yue Kingdom at that time had transcended geographical restrictions.
As a treasure of ancient Chinese culture, the sword of King Goujian of Yue has always attracted the attention of many scholars and tourists.
3. Simu Wuding:
Bronze heavy vessels cast in the late Shang period (c. 14th to 11th centuries BCE) are the heaviest bronze vessels in ancient China.
Simu Wuding, also known as Houmu Wuding, is a bronze heavy vessel cast in the late Shang period (about the 14th century BC to the 11th century BC), unearthed in 1939 in the village of Wuguan, Anyang City, Henan Province. With a height of 133 cm, a mouth length of 110 cm, a mouth width of 79 cm, and a weight of 832.84 kg, it is the heaviest bronze in ancient China.
Simu Wuding shape is majestic, dignified in shape, and exquisite in craftsmanship. There are three words on the inner wall of the abdomen of the tripod, which is the temple number of the mother of the king of Shang. The casting organization of this tripod is strict and the division of labor is meticulous, which fully demonstrates the high development of the bronze culture of the Shang Dynasty.
It is not only an outstanding representative of ancient Chinese bronzes, but also a treasure of ancient Chinese culture and art, and has important value for the study of the history, culture and religion of the Shang Dynasty. It is now in the collection of the National Museum of China and is one of the "treasures" of the museum.
As a treasure of ancient Chinese bronzes, Simu Wuding has the following 5 legendary stories:
1. The discovery process: The discovery process of Simu Wuding is full of drama. It was discovered by chance by local farmers in 1939, during the Sino-Japanese War, when the farmers buried the tripod to prevent the Japanese from looting. Later, the tripod was re-excavated and eventually collected in the National Museum of China.
2. Origin of the name: Simu Wuding was originally called "Houmu Wuding", and later some scholars believed that "Si" and "Hou" were connected, and "Simu Wu" was "Houmu Wu", so the name of Ding is still used today.
3. The mystery of casting: The casting process of Simu Wuding is very superb, and how such a huge bronze is cast has always been a research topic for scholars. There is a theory that the tripod is cast using the split casting method, that is, the individual parts are cast first, and then the whole assembly is carried out.
4. Symbolism: In ancient times, the tripod was seen as a symbol of power and status. As a ritual vessel for the Shang king to worship his mother, the scale and exquisiteness of Simu Wuding show the strength of the Shang Dynasty and the authority of the ruler.
5. Cultural inheritance: Simu Wuding is not only a work of art, but also an important carrier of ancient Chinese culture. It has witnessed the glory of ancient Chinese bronze culture and has had a profound impact on the cultural inheritance of later generations.
4. He's Bi:
The famous jade of ancient China is said to have been carved into a jade seal of the country.
Heshi Bi is a famous jade in ancient China, which is said to have been discovered by Bian He, a Chu man in the Spring and Autumn Period. The story of He's Bi is widely spread in Chinese history, and the most famous allusion associated with it is "Returning to Zhao".
According to legend, He's bi was in the hands of Bian He, a native of Chu, who dedicated it to the king of Chu, but it was identified as a stone, and Bian He was tortured for it. Later, He's Bi went through several tosses and turns, and finally fell into the Zhao State. The state of Qin had tried to exchange fifteen cities for the peace of the country, and Lin Xiangru of Zhao was ordered to send an envoy to the state of Qin, and with wisdom and courage he successfully returned to Zhao.
The whereabouts of He's Bi remain a mystery to this day, and there are legends that it was made into a jade seal in the Qin Dynasty, but its authenticity cannot be determined. As a treasure in ancient Chinese culture, Heshibi not only has high artistic value, but also carries rich historical and cultural connotations.
Its story reflects the ancient Chinese society's cherishing and pursuit of jade, as well as the admiration for loyalty, wisdom and bravery. The legendary experience of He Shibi has become a classic story in Chinese culture and has been widely praised by later generations.
The legend of He's Bi mainly includes the following 4 stories:
1. Bian He Xianyu: During the Spring and Autumn Period, Bian He, a native of Chu, found a piece of jade in Jingshan, and he firmly believed that it was a rare piece of jade, and successively presented it to King Chu Li and King Wu of Chu, but they were all mistaken for stones, and Bian He was also tortured for this. Later, King Chu Wen ordered someone to dissect the jade, and sure enough, he got a piece of beautiful jade, and Bian He's loyalty and persistence were finally recognized.
2. Return to Zhao: After the Heshi Bi spread to the Zhao State, it became the national treasure of the Zhao State. The Qin State wanted to get the Heshi Bi, so they offered to exchange fifteen cities. With wisdom and courage, Lin Xiangru, the envoy of Zhao State, successfully sent He's Bi back to Zhao State, which is the story of "returning to Zhao after completion".
3. The jade seal of the country: There is a legend that the jade seal of the country was later made by Qin Shi Huang and became a symbol of the emperor's power. Since then, many dynasties have regarded the heirloom jade seal as a symbol of orthodoxy, and the story of competing for the heirloom jade seal is not uncommon.
4. The mystery of the disappearance: He Shibi has passed through several times in the long river of history, and his final whereabouts are unknown. Its disappearance has left many reveries and speculations for future generations, and has also become a mystery for the ages.
He's Bi has become a bright pearl in Chinese culture, not only showing the ancients' love for jade,
5. Golden Thread Jade Clothes:
The funeral clothes of the emperors and high-ranking nobles of the Han Dynasty, made of jade pieces and gold wire.
The golden-threaded jade clothes were used by the emperors and high-ranking nobles of the Han Dynasty after their deaths, and were also known as "jade boxes" or "jade sheng". It is made of many jade pieces connected by gold wires, and its appearance is similar to the shape of the human body.
The production process of golden jade clothes is extremely complex, requiring multiple processes such as material selection, cutting, grinding, drilling, and threading. It usually takes a lot of manpower and material resources to make a gold-threaded jade robe, which reflects the high level of craftsmanship at that time.
In the Han Dynasty, the golden jade garment was believed to have the function of protecting the immortality of the deceased's body, and was a symbol of the deceased's identity and status. At present, the unearthed golden jade clothes are mostly found in the tombs of the Han Dynasty in Jiangsu, Hebei, Henan and other places.
The golden jade clothes are not only an important part of the funeral culture of the Han Dynasty, but also an outstanding representative of ancient Chinese jade craftsmanship, which is of great value for the study of the history, culture and art of the Han Dynasty.
There are many legendary stories of the golden jade clothes, and the following 4 are more famous:
1. Liu Sheng's gold-threaded jade clothes: In 1968, the tombs of Liu Sheng, the king of Zhongshan in the Western Han Dynasty, and his wife Dou Juan were discovered in Mancheng County, Hebei Province, among which Liu Sheng's gold-threaded jade clothes are the most complete one ever discovered. This jade garment is made up of 2,498 pieces of jade, which are braided with gold wire, and the craftsmanship is extremely exquisite.
2. Cao Cao excavated the tomb of King Liang Xiao: According to legend, in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao stole and excavated the tomb of King Liang Xiao of the Western Han Dynasty in order to raise military salaries. In the tomb, Cao Cao found a large number of gold and silver treasures and a fine gold-threaded jade robe. The story also reflects the destruction of the tomb by the social unrest of the time.
3. Restoration of the golden jade clothes: Due to the age, many of the unearthed golden jade clothes have varying degrees of damage. Through meticulous restoration and research, these precious cultural relics have been restored and shown in their original style.
4. The Mysterious Jade Curse: In some legends, it is believed that the golden jade cloth has mystical powers that will bring bad luck to those who touch it. Although there is no scientific basis for this statement, it also adds a touch of mystery to the golden jade clothes.
6. Blue and white porcelain:
A traditional Chinese variety of porcelain, known for its exquisite craftsmanship and unique artistic style.
Blue and white porcelain, also known as blue and white porcelain on white ground, is one of the mainstream varieties of Chinese porcelain, which belongs to underglaze colored porcelain. Blue and white porcelain is made of cobalt ore containing cobalt oxide as raw material, depicting ornamentation on the ceramic body, and then covering with a layer of transparent glaze, which is fired at one time by a high-temperature reduction flame.
Blue and white porcelain began in the Tang and Song dynasties, matured in the Yuan dynasty, and reached its peak in the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is known for its white carcass, pure glaze, exquisite ornamentation and unique artistic style.
The blue and white porcelain has a wide range of decorative themes, including figures, landscapes, flowers and birds, animals, etc., and the painting style is diverse, including realism, freehand, and fine brushwork. Common decorative techniques include blue and white, red in glaze, blue and white multicolor, etc.
Blue and white porcelain is not only loved in China, but has also had a profound impact on the world's ceramic art. It is an important part of traditional Chinese culture and a treasure of Chinese ceramic art.
The following 4 are the legends of blue and white porcelain:
1. Yuan Qinghua Guiguzi Descending Picture Jar: On July 12, 2005, at Christie's in London, a "Yuan Qinghua Guiguzi Descending Picture Jar" was sold for 14 million pounds, setting a record for the highest auction of Chinese art in the world at that time. This jar is painted with the story of Guiguzi coming down the mountain, the picture is vivid, and it is a treasure in the blue and white of the Yuan.
2. Xuande blue and white cricket jars: Zhu Zhanji, the emperor of Xuande in the Ming Dynasty, was fond of fighting crickets, and he ordered the imperial kiln factory to fire a batch of exquisite blue and white cricket jars. These jars are exquisitely shaped and delicately decorated, and are the representative works of Xuande blue and white porcelain. Some of these cricket jars have been handed down to this day and have become precious cultural relics.
3. Blue and white Clark porcelain: In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Chinese blue and white porcelain was exported to Europe in large quantities, and one of the blue and white porcelains known as "Clark porcelain" was particularly famous. Clark porcelain was loved by Europeans for its exquisite paintings and unique shapes, and became a fashion item sought after by European aristocrats at that time.
4. Shipwreck Treasures: Historically, many ships loaded with blue and white porcelain have sunk. The blue and white porcelain from these wrecks was salvaged ashore after centuries of slumber and became a precious artifact.
7. Horse Riding Swift:
Eastern Han Dynasty bronzes, beautiful shapes, have high artistic value.
"Horse Riding Feiyan", also known as "Ma Chao Dragon Sparrow" and "Copper Galloping Horse", is a bronze vessel of the Eastern Han Dynasty, unearthed in 1969 in the ancient tomb of Leitai, Wuwei City, Gansu Province. The bronze measures 34.5 cm high, 45 cm long, 13.1 cm wide and weighs 7.3 kg. The shape of the bronze galloping horse is unique, a horse neighs with its head high, its three legs soar into the air, and one foot on a flying swallow, showing the dynamic beauty of the galloping horse.
The casting process of the copper galloping horse is exquisite, and the techniques of sub-casting and welding are adopted, which reflects the superb skills of ancient craftsmen. Its overall lines are smooth, the proportions are harmonious, and it has extremely high artistic value.
The shape of "Horse Stepping on the Flying Swallow" is unique, a horse is three-legged in the air, and a horse's hoof is stepping on a flying swallow, showing the majestic posture of the horse galloping. The image of the horse is vigorous, neighing with its head high, and the image of the swallow is light and wings flying, and the combination of the two is full of dynamism and rhythm.
"Horse Stepping on Feiyan" not only has high artistic value, but also reflects the superb casting technology of the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is a treasure among ancient Chinese bronzes and is known as the "crown of ancient Chinese bronzes".
"Horse Stepping Feiyan" is now collected in the Gansu Provincial Museum, which is one of the "treasures of the town" of the museum. It has become an important symbol of Chinese culture, representing the courageous and positive spirit of the Chinese nation.
The following 9 are the legends of the horse stepping on the swallow:
1. Unearthed Legend: In 1969, Ma Ta Feiyan was discovered in the ancient tomb of Leitai in Wuwei, Gansu Province. At that time, local farmers stumbled upon the tomb while digging an air-raid shelter, and it was in the tomb that Ma Ta Feiyan was unearthed. This fortuitous discovery allowed this precious artifact to be brought back to light.
2. Naming controversy: After the Ma Ta Feiyan was unearthed, its name has caused controversy. Some people think that it should be called "Ma Ta Dragon Sparrow", and some people think that it is more appropriate to call it "Ma Chao Dragon Sparrow". Eventually, the name "Horse Stepping on Feiyan" was widely accepted because of its vivid and concise imagery.
3. Almost Transported Away: It is said that after Ma Ta Feiyan was unearthed, it was almost transported away as scrap copper. Fortunately, some cultural relics workers discovered its value in time to save it from doom.
4. Become a Chinese tourism icon: In 1983, Ma Ta Feiyan was identified as a Chinese tourism icon by the National Tourism Administration, which showcased the charm of China's tourism culture with its unique image and profound meaning.
5. Overseas exhibitions: Ma Ta Feiyan has exhibited abroad many times and has attracted wide attention around the world.
6. Bole Soma: Legend has it that Bole is a person who is good at Soma. When he saw the copper galloping horse, he immediately recognized it as a thousand-mile horse. This story highlights the preciousness and uniqueness of the copper galloping horse, as well as the eyesight of Bole Soma.
7. Legend of the Divine Horse: In some legends, the Bronze Galloping Horse is depicted as a divine horse with extraordinary abilities and magical powers. It can fly over mountains and rivers and help people with difficult tasks.
8. Messenger of cultural exchange: As a representative of ancient Chinese culture, the copper galloping horse has been given as a gift to foreign friends many times in history, and has become a bridge and messenger of cultural exchange.
9. A source of artistic inspiration: Many artists and writers have been inspired by the Bronze Galloping Horse and have created many excellent works. For example, the painter created a painting based on the bronze galloping horse, and the poet praised its beauty and verve with poetry.
These legendary stories not only enrich the cultural connotation of the copper galloping horse, but also allow people to have a deeper understanding and understanding of this precious cultural relic.
8. Chimes of Marquis Tsang:
The musical instruments of Zeng during the Warring States period are the treasures of ancient Chinese musical instruments.
The bell of Zeng Hou Yi is a set of large ritual instruments of Zeng Guojun in the early Warring States period, which was unearthed in 1978 in the tomb of Zeng Hou Yi at the drum pier in Suizhou, Hubei. The complete set of 65 chimes is hung from a bell stand in three tiers and in eight groups, each of which is capable of emitting two different pitches, spanning five octaves and twelve semitones.
The casting process of Zeng Hou Yi bell is exquisite, and a variety of techniques such as sub-casting, co-casting, and welding are adopted, which reflects the superb skills of ancient craftsmen. The body of the bell is also cast with exquisite ornaments and inscriptions, which record the history and music of the Zeng Kingdom.
The chimes of Marquis Yi are not only outstanding representatives of ancient Chinese musical instruments, but also a treasure in the history of world music. Its excavation provides important material for the study of music, etiquette, and culture during the Warring States period.
Today, the bell of Zeng Houyi is collected in the Hubei Provincial Museum and has become one of the "treasures of the museum". It not only shows the splendor of ancient Chinese culture, but also witnesses the long history and splendid civilization of the Chinese nation.
The following 5 are the legendary stories of the chimes of Marquis Zeng:
1. The Mystery of Discovery: The discovery of the bell is legendary. In 1978, when a certain unit of the People's Liberation Army was building a barracks at the drum pier in Suizhou, it stumbled upon this ancient tomb. After archaeological excavations, the bell of Zeng Hou Yi, which had been sleeping for more than 2,000 years, was rediscovered.
2. The Mystery of Casting: The casting process of the bell is extremely exquisite, and its complexity is amazing. How the craftsmen of that time mastered such a high level of casting technology remains a mystery to this day.
3. The Mystery of Music: The Chimes of Zeng Hou Yi have a wide range of sound and can play a variety of music, and their musical performance is rare among ancient musical instruments. How the ancients used this set of chimes to play, and what kind of music they played, have also left endless reveries for future generations.
4. The Mystery of the Inscriptions: The inscriptions on the bells record a wealth of historical information, such as the politics, economy, and culture of the Zeng Kingdom. The interpretation of these inscriptions is of great significance for the study of the history of Zeng, but the meaning of some of them has not been fully deciphered to this day.
5. The mystery of diplomacy: After the chime of Marquis Yi was unearthed, he visited many foreign countries as a representative of Chinese culture and became a bridge for cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries.
9. Oracle:
The characters engraved on tortoise shells and animal bones during the Yin Shang period are the earliest and relatively complete ancient scripts found in China.
Oracle bone inscriptions are characters engraved on tortoise shells and animal bones during the Yin Shang period in ancient China, and were mainly used for divination. It is one of the earliest and more complete ancient scripts found in China.
The discovery of oracle bone inscriptions is of great significance for the study of ancient Chinese history, culture, and the development of writing. Through the interpretation of the oracle bone inscriptions, we can learn about the social structure, political system, religious beliefs, and economic life of the Yin Shang period.
The structure of the oracle bone script is relatively simple, but it already has the basic form of Chinese characters. Its stroke lines are relatively thick, square and round, and have a certain decorative nature. The oracle bone inscription has a variety of word-making methods, including pictograms, ideograms, and shape-sounds, etc., showing the wisdom of the ancients.
Thanks to the discovery and study of oracle bone inscriptions, we have a deeper understanding of ancient Chinese civilization. It is not only a treasure of Chinese culture, but also an important part of the world's cultural heritage.
The Chinese government and academic institutions have been working hard to preserve and study oracle bones. Many oracle bones are housed in museums and research institutes, and professional scholars continue to advance the exploration of ancient history and culture by studying and interpreting them. At the same time, the protection of oracle bone inscriptions is being strengthened to ensure that these precious cultural heritage can be passed on and preserved.
Here are 5 oracle legends:
1. The discovery of the oracle: The discovery of the oracle can be described as a legend. In the last years of the Qing Dynasty, the scholar Wang Yirong stumbled upon a medicinal herb called "dragon bone" with strange symbols engraved on it when he was sick. He developed a keen interest in these symbols and began to study them. After some effort, he confirmed that the symbols were ancient scripts, thus opening the prelude to the study of oracle bone inscriptions.
2. Solving the mystery of the oracle: The interpretation of the oracle is a daunting task. Early scholars gradually deciphered some of the oracle bone inscriptions through careful analysis of their shape, structure, and context. Their efforts provide important clues to our understanding of the history and culture of the Yin Shang period.
3. Oracle Bone Inscriptions and the History of the Shang Dynasty: Through the study of oracle bone inscriptions, scholars have been able to reconstruct the history of the Shang Dynasty. The oracle bone inscriptions record the political, military, religious, astronomical and other aspects of the Shang Dynasty, providing valuable information for us to understand the social structure and development of the Shang Dynasty.
4. Inheritance of oracle bones: The study of oracle bones has been the result of the efforts of several generations of scholars, who have continued to pass on and develop their understanding of oracle bones. Some scholars have even dedicated their lives to the preservation and inheritance of oracle bone inscriptions.
5. Overseas dissemination: Oracle's research results have not only been valued in China, but have also attracted the attention of the international academic community
10. Ma Wang pile silk painting:
The silk paintings of the Western Han Dynasty depict the ascension scene of the tomb owner with bright colors
The Mawangdui silk painting is a painting of the Western Han Dynasty in China, unearthed in 1972 in the No. 1 Han Tomb of Mawangdui in Changsha, Hunan, and is now in the collection of the Hunan Provincial Museum.
There are a total of 5 silk paintings, of which the picture content of the No. 1 tomb silk painting can be divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower, which depict the scenes of heaven, earth and underground respectively, in order to express the theme of the tomb owner's ascension to immortals. The upper part of the picture has motifs such as the sun and moon, the rising dragon, and the gate of heaven, the middle part depicts the life scene of the tomb owner, and the lower part depicts the mythical world underground. The silk paintings have smooth lines, bright colors, and complex compositions, which have high artistic value.
Mawangdui silk painting is an important material for the study of ancient Chinese painting art, history and culture, and is of great significance for understanding the social life, religious beliefs, cultural customs and other aspects of the Han Dynasty. At the same time, it is also one of the outstanding representatives of ancient Chinese painting art, which has had a profound impact on the development of painting art in the future.
The following 4 are the legendary stories of the Mawangdui Han Tomb:
1. Discovery process: The discovery of Mawang's pile of silk paintings can be said to be an accident. In 1972, construction crews were building in Mawangdui, an eastern suburb of Changsha City, when they accidentally discovered an ancient tomb. It was only during subsequent archaeological excavations that these silk paintings were able to resurface.
2. Conservation and restoration: It is a miracle that these silk paintings have survived more than 2,000 years. However, when unearthed, they also faced various problems of damage and fading. Meticulous conservation and restoration work by experts has allowed these precious works of art to be restored to their original appearance.
3. Artistic value: Mawangdui silk paintings are famous all over the world for their exquisite painting skills and rich content. They demonstrate the superb level of Han Dynasty painting and are of great significance for the study of the development of ancient Chinese painting art.
4. Cultural connotation: The myths and legends, life scenes depicted in silk paintings reflect the social culture and people's spiritual world of the Han Dynasty. These stories provide valuable clues to our understanding of the ideas and lifestyles of that era.
These antiques are of high historical, artistic and cultural value, and are important representatives of ancient Chinese civilization. Of course, this is only part of the story, there are many other precious antiques and artifacts in China.
It is important to note that the value and importance of antiques are not only determined by their historical age and materials, but also by their artistic quality, cultural significance, and state of preservation.