Chinese classical furniture is esteemed throughout the world for its beauty, functionalism, and influence on contemporary design aesthetics. Sarah Handler's stunningly illustrated volume traces Chinese hardwood furniture from its earliest origins in the Shang dynasty (c. 1500 to c. 1050 B.C.) to the present. She offers a fascinating and poetic view of Chinese furniture as functional sculpture, a fine art alongside the other Chinese arts of calligraphy, architecture, painting, and literature. Handler, a widely respected ...
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Chinese classical furniture is esteemed throughout the world for its beauty, functionalism, and influence on contemporary design aesthetics. Sarah Handler's stunningly illustrated volume traces Chinese hardwood furniture from its earliest origins in the Shang dynasty (c. 1500 to c. 1050 B.C.) to the present. She offers a fascinating and poetic view of Chinese furniture as functional sculpture, a fine art alongside the other Chinese arts of calligraphy, architecture, painting, and literature. Handler, a widely respected scholar of Chinese furniture, uses her knowledge of Chinese social, political, and economic history to provide a backdrop for understanding the many nuances of this art form. Drawing on literary and visual evidence from excavated materials, written texts, paintings, prints, and engravings, she discusses how people lived, their notions of hierarchy, and their perceptions of space. Her descriptions of historical developments, such as the shift from mats to chairs, evoke the psychological and sociological ramifications. The invention of a distinctive way to support and contain people and things within the household is one of China's singular contributions, says Handler. With more than three hundred exquisite illustrations, many in color, Handler's comprehensive study reveals 'the magical totality of Chinese classical furniture, from its rich surfaces and shrewd proportions down to the austere soul of art that resides in the hardwood interiors'. "Austere Luminosity" recognizes Chinese classical furniture as one of China's premier arts, unique in the furniture traditions of the world.
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Add this copy of Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture to cart. $39.00, very good condition, Sold by Jerry Shepard rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from San Rafael, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by University of California Press.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good in Very Good jacket. 4to-over 9¾-12" tall. Photographic color illustrated Dust Jacket. Crisp and bright. Red cloth boards with sharp corners. Lavishly illustrated in color and b & w. A cultural history of Chinese furniture. An unparalleled and highly erudite blend of art and social history as relates to Chinese furniture. 427 plus pp. Heavy. 5 lbs plus. Brilliant presentation. Near fine.
Add this copy of Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture to cart. $60.00, very good condition, Sold by Grendel Books, ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Springfield, MA, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by University of California Press,.
Add this copy of Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture to cart. $60.00, new condition, Sold by mcott rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Seattle, WA, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by University of California Press.
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Seller's Description:
New in very good dust jacket. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. With dust jacket. 417 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. New book, tight, clean, unmarked, unread. Minor shelf wear to back of dust jacket. Beautiful photos and drawings of Chinese interiors.
Add this copy of Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture to cart. $71.61, new condition, Sold by Pink Terrace rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Windsor, CT, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by University of California Press.
Add this copy of Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture to cart. $85.00, like new condition, Sold by The Abstract rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Indianapolis, IN, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by University of California.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in Near Fine jacket. Book 417 pp, numerous b/w and color illustrations, chronology of dynasties, notes, works cited, glossary-index, large 4to, red cloth. Heavy. Fine in a near fine dust jacket.
Add this copy of Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture to cart. $90.60, like new condition, Sold by Paul Brown Books rated 2.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Ramsgate, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2001 by -University of California Press (29 Oct. 2001)-.
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Seller's Description:
First edition, 2001. 417 pages. Illustrated in colour and black and white. Cloth. Fine in dustjacket. Chinese classical furniture is esteemed throughout the world for its beauty, functionalism, and influence on contemporary design aesthetics. Sarah Handler's stunningly illustrated volume traces Chinese hardwood furniture from its earliest origins in the Shang dynasty (c. 1500 to c. 1050 B.C. ) to the present. She offers a fascinating and poetic view of Chinese furniture as functional sculpture, a fine art alongside the other Chinese arts of calligraphy, architecture, painting, and literature. Handler, a widely respected scholar of Chinese furniture, uses her knowledge of Chinese social, political, and economic history to provide a backdrop for understanding the many nuances of this art form. Drawing on literary and visual evidence from excavated materials, written texts, paintings, prints, and engravings, she discusses how people lived, their notions of hierarchy, and their perceptions of space. Her descriptions of historical developments, such as the shift from mats to chairs, evoke the psychological and sociological ramifications. The invention of a distinctive way to support and contain people and things within the household is one of China's singular contributions, says Handler. With more than three hundred exquisite illustrations, many in color, Handler's comprehensive study reveals 'the magical totality of Chinese classical furniture, from its rich surfaces and shrewd proportions down to the austere soul of art that resides in the hardwood interiors'. "Austere Luminosity" recognizes Chinese classical furniture as one of China's premier arts, unique in the furniture traditions of the world.
Add this copy of Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture to cart. $117.64, new condition, Sold by GridFreed rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from North Las Vegas, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by University of California Press.
The book is a wonderful introduction to the whole subject of Chinese furniture, history, and art. The information is very easy to understand and transfers the shapes, scope and use of the furniture through very lively prose and engaging imaginative descriptions, bringing the reader along through the dynastic periods with the author. Since reading this book, I have become a collector of Chinese antiques and its been a very rewarding experience with so much to learn, Ms. Handler certainly can guide the way.
