A History of Oriental & Eastern Art

Mallams Auctioneers look at the history of oriental and eastern artwork.

1. A History of Oriental & Ea stern Art www.mallams.co.uk

2. Introduction Oriental Art is a major branch of Art Classification. Pieces commonly include: Painting Calligraphy Graphic Art Sculpture Pottery The Origins of Oriental Art include Religion, Politics, Philosophy, Culture and Technology. www.Mallams.co.uk

3. Chinese Art Originated as early “stone art” in around 10,000 BC - comprising mainly Pottery and Sculpture. Early works were based on Chinese settlers’ Religious and Supernatural beliefs. www.Mallams.co.uk

4. Chinese Art Early artwork was used to depict people and landscapes. They were commonly found as decorations for human burial sites. Landscapes particularly rose to prominence during the Five Dynasties between 907 AD and 1127 AD. To create minimalist brush strokes a thin brush was used and dipped in coloured ink. www.Mallams.co.uk

5. Chinese Art More colourful art was produced during late imperial China between 1368 AD to 1911 AD Qing Dynasty saw rise of Orthodox school with older styles of thin brush calligraphy and Individualist painters with a more revolutionary approach. Communist Revolution of 1949 created new era of Chinese Art Modern Chinese art includes new forms of expression such as photography and video www.Mallams.co.uk

6. Chinese Sculpture Originates from the First Dynasty in 2,100 BC. Among the most renowned, best preserved and largest examples of these is the Terracotta Army; a collection of figurines built for Emperor Qin Shi Huang and buried with him. They represented protection for him in the afterlife. www.Mallams.co.uk

7. Chinese Sculpture This started an era of miniature figures being sculpted to accompany dead people in their tombs . This classically dates back to the Tang Dynasty between 618 AD and 907 AD. www.Mallams.co.uk

8. Chinese Pottery Pottery dates back Palaeolithic era - pre-dating Dynasties Started being made on an industrial scale when popularity of and ease of construction increased Rulers requested Pottery to be used as Gifts and Trade www.Mallams.co.uk

9. Japanese Art Similarly to Chinese Art, Japanese Art dates back to around 10,000 BC. Captures a wide variety of styles such as ink painting, pottery and sculpture. Japan has taken many foreign influences to create its existing culture and ideals. www.Mallams.co.uk

10. Japanese Art Painting is a traditional Japanese art form, originating from stick figures to illustrate silk, pottery and paper. Japan’s first civilization moulded and painted pottery and clay figures. Later settlers in around 350 BC brought knowledge and Bronze Manufacturing and Decoration. www.Mallams.co.uk

11. Japanese Art The rise of Buddhism in the East in the 7th and 8th centuries taught Japan enhanced bronze-casting methods Sculptures of Buddha were popular around this time but phased out because of opposition from Buddhist temples and Japanese nobility www.Mallams.co.uk

12. Japanese Art Picture scrolls grew in popularity after 1130 BC. These were pictorial stories illustrating men and women. Kamakura was also a popular period of Japanese art with sculpture, calligraphy and painting between 1180 and 1333 AD. www.Mallams.co.uk

13. Japanese Art The Muromachi period between 1338 and 1573 saw art become more elitist and aristocratic. Conservative colours were used - black and white - and single colours were common. Secular art began to dominate when China and Japan started to drift apart. After 1477 Japan lost interest in sculpture which resulted in religion playing a less significant role. www.Mallams.co.uk

14. Japanese Art Western culture and artistic values had imprinted on Japanese culture by the start of the 20th century. A dichotomy was created between these new western styles and a desire to revert back to traditional conservative art forms. Japanese Anime was born after World War II alongside American comic books and cartoons www.Mallams.co.uk

15. Korean Art 676 AD saw Korea become completely independent of China and led to a boom in Korean Art. Despite this, art of Korea has been heavily influenced by Chinese Art and vice versa; strengthening and widening respective artistic styles. Buddhism played a key role in artistic themes. www.Mallams.co.uk

16. Korean Art Some of the best Buddhist art is understood to have been produced between 676 and 935 AD during the Unified Silla period. The Joseon Dynasty in 1392 began a cultural renaissance in Korea - introducing Neo-Confucianism which featured secular art and culture. The 15th and 16th centuries saw classical art reintroduced. www.Mallams.co.uk

17. Korean Art Painting styles in this era included landscapes with nostalgic places and mountain scenes with clouds and trees. Ink was used commonly to highlight the contrast between light and dark; as well as ceramics, stoneware and porcelain. Painting was the most popular art form in the 20th century - particularly abstract painting from the 1930s onwards www.Mallams.co.uk

18. Korean Art Korean monochrome paintings grew in popularity in the 1970s and 1980s which challenged pre-conceived ideas about ink and oil painting. www.Mallams.co.uk

19. The Modern East Asian Art Market Chinese Art is one of the biggest sellers on the international scene. Paintings, Pottery and Sculptures fetch high prices among collectors, with Chinese buyers increasing in number. This means that more East Asian Art is being sold at auction to private buyers; reflecting the rise of middle-class Asia and a desire to be more like the West. www.Mallams.co.uk

20. Mallams Auctioneers For more information about upcoming Oriental & Eastern Art Sales take a look at our calendar. You can also contact us online or call us : Oxford - 01865 241358 Abingdon - 01235 462840 Cheltenham - 01242 235712 www.Mallams.co.uk