Sirène

1998 · Best.-Nr. 000480 — Bangkok: SDI 1998. Originally published in 1925 in a four-volume edition now virtually unobtainable this work by one of the foremost Asian scholars of the last century remains the most comprehensive treatise on Chinese Buddhist sculpture in any western language. In this monumental study Siren commences with a comprehensive introduction and survey of the genre. He then illustrates dates and describes over 900 examples in bronze stone and wood ranging in date from the fifth century Wei Dynasties through the Northern Qi Sui Tang and Song periods to the end of Chinese sculptural innovation in the fourteenth century Yuan Dynasty. Representative examples are included from all of the great collections of North America Europe and Japan as well as in situ examples from cave temples architectural ruins and imperial tombs in China. Many of the items illustrated appeared in print in this volume for the first time and a significant number of them have since been lost; it is also noteworthy that Siren's study was produced prior to the massive pollution of the genre by high quality fakes which has occurred in more recent years. This new edition of a classic study on Chinese art history has been produced in two volumes bringing together descriptions and related illustrations into the same volumes the original edition had these separated and employing digital technology to enhance and enlarge many of the original photographs. Total over 1000 pp. including 125 pp. introductory essay plate descriptions index and over 600 photographic plates illustrating some 900 objects. Both volumes are bound in handsome bonded leather; edition is limited to 999 sets only. Heavy and oversize book - may require additional postage. Limited second edition. Hardbound in slipcase. New. 31 x 22 cm. SDI Hardcover