Overview

China's renowned art objects, furnishings, and handicrafts have long been sought by collectors and inspired designers. Through 60 emblematically Chinese items, Things Chinese opens up the world of Chinese culture. The book brings together China scholar Ronald Knapp, who describes the history and use of each item in fascinating detail, and Michael Freeman, whose work has appeared in magazines such as the ""Smithsonian, GEO"" and ""Conde Nast Traveler, "" and here lovingly and richly photographs each item.  Featuring descriptions and full-color photographs, the history, cultural significance and customs surrounding these exemplars of Chinese art and material culture come into dazzling focus.  Items covered include: Bamboo furniture, Ivory carving, Snuff Bottle, Mooncake moulds, Musical Instruments, Mahjong sets and Fengshui compasses.

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9780804849890

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Reviews

Ron Knapp, with his broad grasp of Chinese history and culture, provides insights and highlights of taste, style, and social and cultural developments behind the particular 'things' in this book, captured beautifully and skillfully by the lenses of Micha

Ron Knapp, with his broad grasp of Chinese history and culture, provides insights and highlights of taste, style, and social and cultural developments behind the particular 'things' in this book, captured beautifully and skillfully by the lenses of Michael Freeman. --Kai-Yin Lo, designer and author The ever-observant and longtime China scholar Ron Knapp rewards readers with his rich insights into the meaning and histories behind objects--from bird cages to dragons--that sing of Chinese civilization's inspiring contributions to our world. --Nancy Berliner, PhD, author of Yin Yu Tang: The Architecture and Daily Life of a Chinese House and The Emperor's Private Paradise Besides Mao gadgetry, art lovers will find plenty of inspiration from other collectibles featured in this well researched book. These range from household furnishings and religious icons to ethnic minority jewelry and opium pipes, all good stuff that illustrates aspects of China's cultural history and its people's artistic taste that is highly recognized in art markets around the world. Every item covered has a history of its own, and Knapp's approach to history is comprehensive. --The Nation -Ron Knapp, with his broad grasp of Chinese history and culture, provides insights and highlights of taste, style, and social and cultural developments behind the particular 'things' in this book, captured beautifully and skillfully by the lenses of Michael Freeman.- --Kai-Yin Lo, designer and author -The ever-observant and longtime China scholar Ron Knapp rewards readers with his rich insights into the meaning and histories behind objects--from bird cages to dragons--that sing of Chinese civilization's inspiring contributions to our world.- --Nancy Berliner, PhD, author of Yin Yu Tang: The Architecture and Daily Life of a Chinese House and The Emperor's Private Paradise -Besides Mao gadgetry, art lovers will find plenty of inspiration from other collectibles featured in this well researched book. These range from household furnishings and religious icons to ethnic minority jewelry and opium pipes, all good stuff that illustrates aspects of China's cultural history and its people's artistic taste that is highly recognized in art markets around the world. Every item covered has a history of its own, and Knapp's approach to history is comprehensive.- --The Nation

-Ron Knapp, with his broad grasp of Chinese history and culture, provides insights and highlights of taste, style, and social and cultural developments behind the particular 'things' in this book, captured beautifully and skillfully by the lenses of Michael Freeman.- --Kai-Yin Lo, designer and author

Besides Mao gadgetry, art lovers will find plenty of inspiration from other collectibles featured in this well researched book. These range from household furnishings and religious icons to ethnic minority jewelry and opium pipes, all good stuff that illustrates aspects of China's cultural history and its people's artistic taste that is highly recognized in art markets around the world. Every item covered has a history of its own, and Knapp's approach to history is comprehensive. --The Nation The ever-observant and longtime China scholar Ron Knapp rewards readers with his rich insights into the meaning and histories behind objects--from bird cages to dragons--that sing of Chinese civilization's inspiring contributions to our world. --Nancy Berliner, PhD, author of Yin Yu Tang: The Architecture and Daily Life of a Chinese House and The Emperor's Private Paradise Ron Knapp, with his broad grasp of Chinese history and culture, provides insights and highlights of taste, style, and social and cultural developments behind the particular 'things' in this book, captured beautifully and skillfully by the lenses of Michael Freeman. --Kai-Yin Lo, designer and author

Author Information

Ronald G. Knapp has been carrying out field research in China's countryside on cultural and historical geography since 1965. Currently SUNY Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the State University of New York, New Paltz, he is the author or editor of more than a dozen books, including, most recently, Chinese Houses of Southeast Asia: The Eclectic Architecture of Sojourners and Settlers and Chinese Bridges: Living Architecture from China's Past; and Chinese Houses: The Architectural Heritage of a Nation. He is co-editor with Kai-Yin Lo of House Home Family: Living and Being Chinese. Michael Freeman specializes in reportage and in modern design and architecture. One of Smithsonian magazine's principal photographers for more than three decades, he has photographed extensively in Asia and has produced 117 books. Among these are Angkor: The Hidden Glories (""A remarkable book, a superb evocation."" --Wall Street Journal); the award-winning Japan Modern; Things Japanese; Things Thai; Spirit of Asia; In the Oriental Style; and China Contemporary, among many others. Freeman's books on photography are international bestsellers, with two million copies sold, and have been published in twenty languages.

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