Search Results: Art Asia from Orchid Press

Macao: Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, 2004. A beautifully produced survey of Chinese engraving art, predominantly woodcuts, of the 20th century. Woodblock printing has a 2000 year history in China, and examples from the early 20th century generally followed traditional techniques and subject matter. Commencing in the early 1930's however, a dramatic shift occurred among young graphic artists, as the medium's subject matter in the so named 'new print' movement focussed on depictions of the tumultuous changes then occurring in Chinese society. From this turning point, one may track the revolutionary upheavals, war, and eventual achievement of peace and prosperity by the Chinese people. This still little known genre contains some of the most original creations by Chinese artists in the 20th century and seems to have completely avoided the mostly forgettable developments in Chinese painting, with its slavish following of Western styles and commercialism. Lavishly printed in full… Read More

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2004. Subtitle : 'Writer, Painter and Art Historian of Nepal'. The life of Lain Singh Bangdel (1912-2002), Nepalese writer, painter and art historian, was infused with a deep understanding and empathy for the oppressed of his native land. His artistic works served both to interpret and to preserve the rich ancient culture of his country. His novels, written early in his life, altered the course of Nepali literature with their realistic descriptions of downtrodden Nepalese. As a painter, he achieved lasting acclaim for his innovative leadership and became known as the 'father of modern art in Nepal'. As an art historian, Bangdel toiled tirelessly to document, clarify and preserve the rapidly vanishing relics of Kathmandu Valley's ancient past. An inspiring biography of a true 'renaissance man' of Nepal. xviii, 258 pp., 46 colour and 34 b&w plates, chronology, notes, bibliography, index . First Edition. Hard Cover. New/New. 24.5 x 17.5 cm.

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2004. Since Cambodia's reopening to the world in the past dozen years, following its genocidal civil war, there has been a burgeoning interest in its history, art and architectural relics. In parallel with this growing popular interest has been a renewal of international scholarly work and corresponding publication on the Khmers. However, virtually without exception, these either have been aimed at the casual tourist, or alternately, have consisted of more or less esoteric monographs, highly focussed on specific aspects of Khmer culture. A comprehensive survey of the Khmers, broad enough in its scope to provide an overall view, both temporal and geographic, of Khmer civilization, while sufficiently in depth to satisfy the serious reader, has not been attempted in any language in the past half century, until now. In Angkor-Before and After, Professor David Snellgrove has provided a new cultural history of the Khmers covering the period from its very beginning in the 5th… Read More

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2003. Describes a selection of early travellers' impressions of the Khmer empire's ancient 12th century capital and the legends that inspired the majestic stone temples of Angkor, which a visitor in the 1920's declared 'the most impressive sight in the world of edifices'. The work brings to the reader many out-of-print impressions of early Western travellers and also includes tales and legends based on an oral tradition, published for the first time. It serves as a guide book companion, an introduction to Angkor, and as supplementary reading following a visit. Also an excellent read for the armchair traveller unable to venture as far afield as Cambodia. 230 pp., 8 maps, 31 colour and 51 b&w plates, glossary, bibliography, index. First Edition. Soft Cover. As New. 23 x 12.7 cm.

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2003. While much has been published on Khmer civilization immediately preceding and during the Angkor period, the origins of this culture, deep in the Mekong Delta, remain relatively obscure. The results of initial explorations by French colonial archaeologists in the first half of the twentieth century were published in detail between 1959 and 1963 in editions which are now difficult to obtain. Interrupted by geopolitical factors until 1975, Vietnamese, Cambodian and foreign archaeologists have been active in this region since; however, aside from papers in specialized archaeological monographs, little has been published in western languages on the remarkable cultural remains that have been uncovered. The pre-Khmer culture of Fu Nan played an important role in maritime trade in southeast Asia as early as the first centuries of the Common Era. Abundant evidence exists for wide trade links within the region, with South Asia and extending as far as the Mediterranean. Chinese… Read More

Hong Kong: Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong, 2006. Catalogue of a new and innovative exhibition held at the University Museum and Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong and curated by Anthony Lin. The grand array of some 216 lots, all illustrated in the present catalogue in full colour, addresses the theme of imitation in Chinese art from three angles. Commencing with a foundation section of antiquity and classicism, the exhibition explores three forms of imitation, including archaism, inter-media exchange and trans-cultural influences. Objects presented range from the neolithic period to the present era, spanning some 5,000 years of China's artistic heritage, and include some of the finest examples of their genre drawn primarily from private collections in the region. The objects also represent a dazzling array of media, from bronze, ceramics and jades, to lacquer, stone sculpture, glass, cloisonne, wood, textile and works on paper and canvas. With accompanying essays by George Fan,… Read More

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2000. The autobiographical account of the extraordinary career and travels of scholar/author David Snellgrove, spanning his explorations of Central, South and Southeast Asian cultures over a period of 56 years. 587 pp., 65 colour and 178 b&w plates, 17 maps. First Edition. Hard Cover. New/new. 24.5 x 17.5 cm.

Trumbull: Weatherhill, 2003. Treasures hide in the temples of Pagan-treasures in part never meant to be seen, enshrouded in the darkness of high vaults. They compose a unique ensemble in the Buddhist world of the eleventh to fourteenth century, giving us a glimpse of a lost splendour, and providing evidence of the major political, religious and artistic position that Pagan then held. Adorning the walls and ceilings of those monuments, they constitute a prayer to the Buddha: to the Buddha as a human being, to his last life, but also to his numerous lives when he was in search of the truth. This comprehensive study covers, for the first time, not only the murals found within temples near the historic city of Pagan, but also those within the monuments scattered elsewhere over the Pagan plain. Following an initial iconographic analysis, the author proceeds to reconstruct the overall vision of the murals within the broader context of the interior spaces of the temples, revealing these monuments as… Read More

Bangkok: Orchid Press/Weatherhill, 2001. The first and only comprehensive study of the history and civilization of the vanished kingdom of Arakan, now part of western coastal Burma. Mentioned in Ptolemy's 2nd century AD Geography, Arakan was, from earliest times, a cosmopolitan state with a vigourous and complex culture. Indian Brahmins conducted the royal rituals, Buddhist monks spread their teaching, traders came by land and sea and artists and architects used Indian and SE Asian models for inspiration. The result of some 20 years' research, this book introduces the history, art, architecture and culture of Arakan, demonstrating along the way how SE Asia, beginning in the first millennium AD, absorbed and interpreted the influences of many neighbouring cultures. The erudite text is complemented by beautiful and copious photographs. 188 pp., 180 colour and b/w photos, 5 maps, chronological chart, bibliography, glossary, index. First Edition. Hard Cover. New/New. Illus. by Zaw Min Yu. 28.5 x 22 cm.

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2000. This study describes the origins of lacquer in Burma, the lacquer process, techniques of decoration, and design motifs, followed by a detailed description of the myriad of lacquerware vessels and other forms produced for secular, religious and ceremonial application. Concludes with a consideration of current lacquerware production centers in Burma and museum collections of Burmese lacquer worldwide. Lavishly illustrated in colour; a complete revision and expansion of a standard reference first published by Tamarind Press. 222 pp., over 350 colour plates, map, glossary, bibliography, index. Second, revised edition. Hard Cover. New/new. 23.5 x 22.5 cm.

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2000. This study describes the origins of lacquer in Burma, the lacquer process, techniques of decoration, and design motifs, followed by a detailed description of the myriad of lacquerware vessels and other forms produced for secular, religious and ceremonial application. Concludes with a consideration of current lacquerware production centers in Burma and museum collections of Burmese lacquer worldwide. Lavishly illustrated in colour; a complete revision and expansion of a standard reference first published by Tamarind Press. 222 pp., over 350 colour plates, map, glossary, bibliography, index. Second, revised edition. Soft Cover. New/n/a. 23 x 22 cm.

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2000. A groundbreaking, lavishly illustrated exploration of the jade traditions of the early cultures of SE Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and aboriginal Taiwan. Spans cultures active in this art form from the neolithic to the early years of the Common Era (AD). Essays by the editor, as well as five other scholars, followed by detailed descriptions and photographs of over 160 artefacts. The first and only reference on the subject and a must for all jade connoisseurs. In English, with essays and summary descriptions in Chinese. 162 pp, 168 colour and 4 b&w plates, 3 maps, chronological chart, bibliography, index. First Edition. Soft Cover. New/n/a. 23 x 22 cm.

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2000. A groundbreaking, lavishly illustrated exploration of the jade traditions of the early cultures of SE Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and aboriginal Taiwan. Spans cultures active in this art form from the neolithic to the early years of the Common Era (AD). Essays by the editor, as well as five other scholars, followed by detailed descriptions and photographs of over 160 artefacts. The first and only reference on the subject and a must for all jade connoisseurs. In English, with essays and summary descriptions in Chinese. 162 pp, 168 colour and 4 b&w plates, 3 maps, chronological chart, bibliography, index. First Edition. Hard Cover. New/New. 23.5 x 22.5 cm.

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 1986. A compendium of Chinese creativity, as it was applied to the implements of war. The author, a renowned Sinologist, traces the origins and development of a wide array of weaponry. Reprint of the Shanghai 1932 edition. vi, 102 pp., including 59 pages of b&w illustrations. Soft Cover. As New. 26 x 19 cm.

Warminster: Aris & Phillips, 1980. Ladakh existed as an independent kingdom until 1834 when it became an integral part of India. It has, however, remained one of the few regions in which Tibetan Buddhism and the traditional Tibetan way of life continue to flourish. Professor Snellgrove and Tadeusz Skorupski were the first western scholars to visit Ladakh in 1974, shortly after a long ban on access was lifted, staying there through the hard winter months when the passes are blocked and when the religious life of Ladakh is especially active. This important study focuses on the monasteries of Zangskar and the cave temples of Ladakh. The Zangskar monasteries include Sumda, which is a contemporary foundation to Alchi; Sani, with its Kanika Choten; Karsha and Dzongkhul. Many of the monasteries of Central Ladakh were built upon the sites of caves where famous yogins and lamas had meditated, but the best preserved and most interesting murals are near Saspol. All these important sites are described and… Read More

Warminster: Aris & Phillips, 1979. Ladakh existed as an independent kingdom until 1834 when it became an integral part of India. It has, however, remained one of the few regions in which Tibetan Buddhism and the traditional Tibetan way of life continue to flourish. Professor Snellgrove and Tadeusz Skorupski were the first western scholars to visit Ladakh in 1974, shortly after a long ban on access was lifted, staying there through the hard winter months when the passes are blocked and when the religious life of Ladakh is especially active. This highly illustrated study presents new material on the history of Ladakh culture and religion, focussing on their rich traditions of art and culture. Despite the passage of so many warring and marauding armies in the past, Ladakh still preserves important traces of that early Tibetan Buddhist period when purely Indian influences were predominant. The 11th century monastery of Alchi, which has remained practically intact is studied in great detail in this… Read More

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2004. In this lively and engaging new work on conceptions ofTibet in Western European and American societies, anthropologist Brauen paints a damning portrait of misinterpretation, trivialization and political and commercial exploitation of a rich and ancient culture. Starting with idealistic adventurers in search of a Himalayan Utopia from the 17th century onward, Brauen's most disturbing portrayals are the distortions of 20th century neo-Nazis, Hollywood moguls and the commercial-industrial complex. The author analyses and describes the cynical exploitation, up to the present, of Tibetan Buddhism--a fundamental objective of which is the elimination of human greed--to further Western commercial aims. Nor does Brauen absolve Tibetans themselves in the use of the more benign, even flattering, of these distorted images as they strive to draw the world's attention to their politically and socially tenuous situation. Illustrations include a diverse and at times shocking… Read More

Hong Kong: Chinese University of HK, 2001. A massive and definitive work on the art and technology of ancient glass in China. While glass was also imported into early China from the Middle East, Chinese glass technology seems to have developed independently and domestic products are significantly different in design, function and chemical composition. Objects discussed and illustrated date from the Warring States period to the Qing, a range of some 2,000 years in total. Early Chinese beads are particularly spectacular; other production included ritual and burial objects, adornments such as pendants, belts and ear ornaments, seals and vessels. Essays and descriptions in Chinese, with two important essays on chemical and EDXRF analysis of glass samples in English. All captions bilingual English/Chinese. 518 pp., over 480 colour photos and hundreds of b&w drawings, chronology, map, bibliography. Light tape residue marks on endpapers; slight spotting on top fore-edges, otherwise a clean, unread copy.… Read More

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2005. Eastern Tibet, including the historic territories of Kham and Amdo, may rightfully claim to be the cradle of Tibetan culture. As early as the first millennium of our era, Eastern Tibet was of international relevance, as three branches of the Silk Road passed through its borders. A result of its role as a crossroad and meeting point in early East Asia was the emergence in the region of a rich cultural mosaic, and today, archaeological remains of Hellenistic, Iranian, Sogdian and Chinese cultures testify to this diversity. Over the past thousand years, Eastern Tibet has also been a centre of deep spirituality. Some 10,000 nuns and monks studying at the monastic University of Larung Gar, as well as the Amdo roots of present XIVth Dalai Lama, testify to the importance of this region to the religious traditions of all Tibetans. This volume, illustrated with more than 250 extraordinary colour photographs, is the first study dedicated solely to the culture of Eastern Tibet-a… Read More

Bangkok: SDI, 1996. Reprint of the original late 19th century privately printed edition, entitled 'An Album of the weapons, tools, ornaments and articles of dress of natives of the Pacific Islands'. The original work, released in three volumes from 1890 to 1898, has been republished in this handsome single volume and comprises one of the most comprehensive works ever on the ethnology and material culture of the people of the Pacific Islands. Plates illustrate several thousand artifacts, from Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Easter Island, the Solomon Islands, Australia, including Tasmania, New Zealand, the New Hebrides, Tonga, Samoa, New Guinea, Micronesia etc. Hand drawn illustrations of weapons, tools, ornaments, and articles of dress of natives of the Pacific Islands. Additional appendices of History of the Discovery of the Islands, Maps, Portraits. Index, bibliography. vi. 391 ; 238 ; iv. v. 237 (bound in one volume) Edition limited to 999 copies. A new/unread copy *** PLEASE NOTE : OVERSIZE… Read More