Song Dynasty (c) - The first half of the Song Dynasty is known as the Northern Song, referring to the period during which the capital was in Kaifeng. The Southern Song began in 1127, when the capital was moved to Hangzhou. The Song saw a renewed interest in the ancient arts, including the re-creation of archaic ritual vessels. The Song is also famous for the Five Imperial Wares, and for its inventive glazed ceramics, focusing on the development of vessels, rather than sculptural forms. The Song Dynasty is also known as the Classical Period. Historical Value - China is a land full of ancient sites awaiting investigation. Since coming to power the government of the PeopleÂ's Republic has conducted a series of model excavations of ancient tombs, dramatically increasing our fragmentary knowledge of its huge past. Antiques bring the standards of couture into the home. Antiquities are works of art or utilitarian objects from ancient times, which have normally been excavated from tombs or historical sites. The huge worldwide demand for these ancient and often beautiful pieces has led to a critical shortage and therefore prices have soared to an unprecedented higher level. Art in the Tomb - The aristocratic burial customs of the Han dynasty had subsequently spread to all sections of society, and by the time of Tang it was usual for every family to furnish her dead in their graves with Â'spirit figuresÂ', animals or things that have been enjoyed during their lifetime. During the early dynasties of the Shang (c.1600BC-1027BC) and the Zhou (c.1027BC- 221BC), the important families maintained large subterranean tomb complexes, from which the ancestral dead were conceived to watch over the fortunes of the living. Apart from its already remarkable pottery, some of the first notable Chinese works of art are bronze vessels for use in undertaken to appease these spirits: cast by a complex piece-mould process, they bear complicated zoomorphic designs, originally magical and protective glyphs, developed into endless linear proliferations with backgrounds pf square scrolling. Many have dedicatory inscriptions inside the bowl, which are among the earliest surviving examples of the archaic Chinese script. DESCRIPTION: SEAL IN A SHAPE OF HUNTING DOG The custom of impressing seals on paintings or calligraphy grew in the seventh century out of working with written documents in the palace archive. Individual written items were pasted together to form handscrolls and by adding seals over the seams they were, so to speak, authenticated. This ancient piece presents a hunting dog in a jumping position with a semi-open mouth and long ears. Inscriptions on the bottom. Material: Nephrite Jadestone Dimension: Height: 6,75Â" Â- (17.2 cm); Width: 2,5Â" Â- (6.4 cm) approximately Click for Price @ GoAntiques.com
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