TEACH CHINA
Resources for students and educators
TEACH CHINA
Resources for students and educators
Certain motifs appear with great regularity as surface decorations of vessels of the early Bronze Age in China. Many of these designs consist of composite or wholly imaginary animals.
Among the most globally significant innovations of the Tang and Song dynasties were the inventions of woodblock printing and moveable type, enabling widespread publishing of a variety of texts, and the dissemination of knowledge and literacy.
Dark wares were produced at a number of kiln sites from the Han dynasty through the Tang and Song dynasties. These bowls were admired by emperor Huizong of the Northern Song as the most desirable of tea wares.
This is a ceramic model of a house, made as a burial object (mingqi) during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Models like this one were made to represent everything from simple goat or pig pens to the most elaborate towers and palaces.
As with art, literature, and philosophy, the Tang dynasty (618-906) nurtured a Golden Age of development and innovation in science and technology that culminated in the Song dynasty (960-1279). Important advances were made in astronomy, agriculture, industry, medicine, and military technologies.
The figure made from earthenware clay is a Central Asian wine merchant holding a large sack of wine. This object was made to be placed in tombs of the elite during the middle period of the Tang dynasty.
Chinese vases and jars are sometimes painted with narrative scenes presented almost as though a scroll had been wrapped around the surface. Two unrelated narrative scenes encircle the body and neck of this vase.
The Tang and Song dynasties were the golden ages of Chinese classical literature in general, and poetry in particular.
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Major support for the Asian Art Museum’s school programs and resources is provided by the Dhanam Foundation, United Airlines, The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, and Daphne and Stuart Wells. Additional support is provided by Ms. Jane B. Dalisay and Mr. John W. Kirkman and an anonymous donor. Teacher professional development programs are supported by Wells Fargo.
General support for education is provided by the Dhanam Foundation, the Koret Foundation, the John & Marcia Goldman Foundation, The Charles D. and Frances K. Field Fund, Dodge & Cox, and The Joseph & Mercedes McMicking Foundation. Support is also provided by an endowment established by The Hearst Foundations.
Teach China was created in collaboration with the following arts organizations:
