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Asian Art Museum
Course: Asian Art Museum > Unit 5
Lesson 1: China- Introduction to China
- An introduction to ancient China
- Archaeology and the study of ancient China
- Discoveries in Chinese archaeology
- Bottle with mouth in the shape of a mushroom
- Ritual implements (cong and bi)
- Working jade
- Introduction to the Shang dynasty
- Shang dynasty ritual bronze vessels
- Ritual vessel (fangyi)
- Horse decoration in the form of a taotie mask
- Ritual vessel in the shape of a rhinoceros
- Covered ritual wine vessel (gong)
- Ritual wine vessel (hu)
- Seated Buddha dated 338
- Introduction to the Han dynasty
- Vase with cover
- Cicada
- Money tree
- House model
- Storehouse
- Terracotta Warriors from the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor of China
- An Introduction to the Tang dynasty (618–906)
- Dancer
- Camel
- Central Asian wine peddler
- Stele with the Buddha Shakyamuni and Prabhutaratna
- Stele of the Buddha Maitreya
- Chinese Buddhist cave shrines
- Buddhist Temples at Wutaishan
- An Introduction to the Song dynasty (960–1279)
- Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Chinese: Guanyin)
- Taoism in the Tang and Song dynasties
- Arhat (Chinese: luohan)
- Bowl with brown mottling
- Classical gardens of Suzhou
- An introduction to the Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
- Technology during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
- Covered jar with fish in lotus pond
- Song of the morning
- Appreciating Chinese calligraphy
- Decoding Chinese calligraphy
- Whirling Snow on the River Bank
- Climbing Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
- The Forbidden City
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Technology during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
At the beginning of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), China was a world leader in the use of gunpowder-based weaponry, shipbuilding and navigation, and the production of porcelain and various other materials requiring technological knowledge. Many of these developments did not continue further into Ming rule. Confucianism did not encourage commerce, and this — combined with a strong belief in the superiority of their own culture — led the Ming emperors to close the country’s doors to foreign ideas and people, limiting access to a few port cities in the south. After the reign of the Yongle emperor (1403–1424), there was little geographic exploration.
Scientific investigation also lagged, and by the end of the dynasty China was importing weaponry and weapon technologies from Europe, where shipbuilding and navigational skills had become more advanced.
The developments that did occur during the Ming dynasty were largely focused on refinements in existing technologies. Examples of these refinements can be found in the lacquers, porcelains, and textiles.
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this doesn't say anything about the little box that was shown! what was the box used for? what is it made out of? is there some symbolism in this little box? what was the box's purpose?(8 votes)
You're absolutely right! I think it is intended to be an example of this exalted Ming Dynasty technology, but that's only a guess. Someone at Khan Art History messed up. The editor needs to add at least one sentence, or maybe a short paragraph. Or else, replace the illustration.(1 vote)
I found this. would this be good.
This covered box is representative of a type created in great numbers during the reigns of the Yongle and Xuande emperors. Like many designs of the early Ming dynasty, precedents for the floral décor are to be found in works created at the Southern Song court. Song examples are most often paintings or ceramics; it was in the early Ming that these designs were fully explored in carved lacquer.(2 votes)
In Ming Dynasty China, were there widespread running water systems (aqueducts, sewer systems, fountains)? If so, who ordered them put in?(1 vote)- It doesn't say anything about the Zheng He's treasure ship or how it was made! I think that if you show anything that involves technology, you should explain how it's made! Not just facts, at least explain it. How did ship building and navigation become more advanced?(0 votes)