Search Results: Titles starting with E from Orchid Press

London: Bernard Quaritch, 1973. A comparison of the two neighbouring states, both of which were heavily influenced historically by Indian culture and Theravada Buddhist traditions. Dr Quaritch Wales, an authority on the Indianized states of Southeast Asia, focuses primarily on the Hindu-Buddhist and palace arts and monumental architecture of the two cultures. xv, 188 pp., 39 b&w plates, 1 map.. First. Hard bound. Fine. 22 x 14 cm..

New York: E. Weyhe, 1942. The present study examines symbolism on Shang bronze ritual vessels, defining and analyzing the symbolic animals used to decorate these vessels and comparing these findings with references to such symbolism occurring in early Chinese literature. The study particularly focusses on the two primary ancient Chinese spirit guardians (tiger and water buffalo), the principal sacrificial animals (bull, ram, boar), the reptilian forms (dragon, snake and mythological kuei), other symbolic animals (cicada, elephant, deer, bear, fish and tortoise) and finally, a multitude of birds. An important and thought-provoking study, now very difficult to find. xi, 164 pp, 77 full page b&w plates, bibliography, index. First and only edition, limited to 225 copies only, of which this is no. 48. Light browning on title page edges but otherwise clean - a very good copy.. First Edition. Hardbound. Very Good. 32 x 24 cm..

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

Hong Kong: University of Hong Kong Museum and Art Gallery, 2003. Catalogue of a collection of 100 historic photographs in the collection of the author. The images capture the history and evolution of brothels in Hong Kong from their beginnings in the mid 19th century through to the mid 20th century, as the 'red light' districts of the city gradually shifted among various locations on Hong Kong island. Photographs primarily of exteriors and architecture, with some images of the ladies employed within. A fascinating view of one of the more notorious aspects of old Hong Kong. Main text in Chinese, introduction and captions in English. 141 pp., 100 historic b&w photos, bibliography, maps.. First Edition. Soft Cover. New/n/a. 30 x 23 cm..

Hong Kong: Vetch & Lee, 1970. Second, revised edition of a classic work on the Jingdezhen imperial kiln site. The author, born in China and educated in England, returned to China as an assistant keeper of the British Museum, visiting kilns and factories in Jingdezhen as well as connecting with the major ceramics collectors at the time in China. Based on this first-hand experience, Brankston developed a new interpretation of the early products of these kilns, particularly in the Yongle period. The result was first published in the present volume in 1938, and republished in a limited edition, with added material, in 1970. Light foxing on fore-edges, interior pages clean and bright. xvi, 102 pp., 1 col. and 44 b&w plates, line drawings, 2 maps.. Second edition, revised. Hardbound. Very Good +. 25 x 17 cm..

Bangkok: White Lotus, 2001. Reprint of 1832, 1834 & 1844 editions. Early Missionaries in Bangkok brings together the journals of Tomlin, of the London Missionary Society at that time; Gutzlaff, a German with some medical training and connected with the Netherlands Missionary Society; and Abeel, appointed by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Their experiences and observations are among the very few glimpses of Bangkok and its Chinese community in the early nineteenth century during the reign of King Rama III, as seen through "Western" eyes -- as recorded in the more enduring part of their journals. The extensive passages devoted purely to biblical quotations and Christian moralizing have been omitted. Anthony Farrington's introduction sets the journals in historical context. 182 pp.. Reprint. Soft Cover. New/n/a. 21 x 15 cm..

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2008. A study of the artistic dialogue between the two great north Asian cultural centres of Tibet and China, commencing as early as the 9th century, through to the 15th century. This groundbreaking monograph is well illustrated with many objects which are otherwise inaccessible and bases its findings on translations of indigenous Tibetan, Chinese and Central Asian inscriptions. With a new foreword by the author, many new colour illustrations and an extensive bibliography of Western language, Tibetan, Chinese and Japanese sources, it is both a scholarly and attractive addition to the growing corpus of literature on Tibetan art. 160 pp., 28 col. and 46 b&w plates.. Second edition, revised. Hard bound. New/new. 29 x 21 cm..

London: School of Oriental and African Studies, 1996. Monograph on Chinese ceramic techniques drawing on examples from the world-renowned collection of the Percival David Foundation, now held in the British Museum. The author, a widely respected authority, provides details on the raw material used, clays, glazes, the decorative and fabricating techniques, kilns and kiln furnishings, drying and firing. A valuable reference source. 64 pp., 61 col. and b&w ill.'s, map, bibliography, index, staple bound. A new/unread copy.. First Edition. Softbound. New. 25 x 19 cm..

Holmes Beach, FL: DatAsia, 2007. For more than a thousand years, the Khmer royal family nurtured a dance style unique to their Asian kingdom. Spiritually, their graceful dancers embodied the essence of the Khmer race, balancing masculine and feminine forces of the universe to ritually recreate the mystical origins of their land. Aside from a living tradition all but destroyed in the Cambodian revolution of the mid seventies, the only remaining record of this art form is in stone reliefs on a few Khmer temples, most notably Angkor Wat. For a relatively brief period in 1975, prior to the fall of Phnom Penh to the merderous Khmer Rouge, the author had unprecedented access to royal dancers, trainers and archives; he barely escaped the ensuing deluge with the notes that eventually led to his doctoral thesis, on which the present book is based. Draqwing on unique access to primary sources and some 10 years susequent research, this is an essential work for all with interest in Khmer art and culture, and SE… Read More

Minneapolis: University of Minnesota China Center, 1992. The Jewish presence in China dates at least back to the Tang Dynasty. Jews were early settlers in several major Chinese centers; a major concentration of these immigrants, mostly of the merchant class, resided in Kaifeng, a community that survived there for several centuries. The present volume is a record of papers presented at a symposium at the University of Minnesota in conjunction with the 1986 exhibition 'The Jews of Kaifeng: Chinese Jews on the Banks of the Yellow River'. A total of 18 papers address the history and society, art and literature of the community, the impact of the rediscovery of the community by the West, contemporary Sino-Judaic relations and the 20th century Jewish experience in China. Now rare. xv, 124 pp., 20 b&w plates, map.. First Edition. Softbound. Very Good. 18 x 25 cm..

New Delhi: Timeless Books, 1995. The former independent kingdom of Lo (Mustang), now part of northern Nepal, bordering Tibet, is dominated by the 13,000 foot peaks of the Himalayas; its people preserve the ancient traditions of Vajrayana Buddhism. Mustang first opened to outside visitors in 1991; the writer Matthiessen and photographer Laird travelled deep into this mysterious territory in 1992 - the first foreign visitors to the region in some 30 years. This enlightening, beautifully illustrated book documents this journey. 31 x 24 cm., 192 pp., colour photography throughout. . First Edition. Hard bound. Fine/Very Good. 31 x 24 cm..

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: Orchid Press, 2007. Since the dawn of human history, people have gathered and consumed wild plants, for both nutritional and curative purposes. Over the course of millennia, our knowledge of the benefits of these plants has steadily grown, passed down from generation to generation primarily by oral tradition. A vast, invaluable body of knowledge on the use of wild plants remains among many traditional communities to the present day. However, the forces of urbanization, modernization and large scale industrial agriculture are rapidly eroding this knowledge and we are in danger of losing this heritage, within which there may be natural, inexpensive solutions to some of mankind's most intractable diseases. In Edible Wild Plants of Vietnam-The Bountiful Garden, a total of 130 species of wild plants, their characteristics, distribution, use and efficacy are described, accompanied by illustrations of each plant. The present study thus carefully records the knowledge of wild plants by the indigenous… Read More

Hong Kong: Swindon Book Company, 1977. One of over 30 monographs on Chinese art and culture written by Professor TC Lai. Part One of the present volume introduces the legends of the Daoist saints known as the Eight Immortals. Separate chapters explain the back story of each of these colourful demi-gods, explaining their origin, character, magical qualities and attributes. Part Two focuses on Lu Tung Pin, one of the Immortals that is identifiable as an actual historical poet, and includes the script of a musical play (The Deliverance of Iron-crutch Li Yueh), as well as translations of some of Lu's poetry and further anecdotes on his life. Illustrated with images of woodcuts, paintings, ceramics and ivory carvings, all featuring one or more of these ubiquitous saints. xiv, 90 pp., 1 col. and 43 b&w ill.'s.. First Edition. Hardbound. Fine/Fine. 22 x 14 cm..

Hong Kong: Chinese University of HK, 2000. A definitive monograph / catalogue on glasswares produced in the Qing imperial workshops. A lesser known area of Chinese connoisseurship, the objects illustrated and described display a spectacular clarity and variety of hues, demonstrating the mastery of glass production in late dynastic China. Forms range from different shaped vessels, cups and bowls, censors, objects for the scholar's study and ornament among others; objects are either monochrome or multi-coloiured glass. Including three scholarly essays on the imperial glass workshops, their management, techniques and detailed surviving records; all text bilingual English / Chinese. 384 pp., over 240 colour and 5 b&w plates, numerous line drawings, illustrations in both colour and b&w of carved base seals of all objects bearing such marks. *** PLEASE NOTE - THIS VOLUME IS HEAVY AND MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL POSTAGE. ***. First Edition. Hard Cover. New/New. 32 x 25 cm..

Hong Kong: Chinese University of HK, 2006. Catalogue of a unique collection of ceramic objects decorated by means of carving, incising and applique techniques, thereafter biscuit-fired without glaze. This process became popular in the late Qing and early Republican era and was employed primarily in the production of fine objects for the scholar's desk, such as brushwashers, miniature screens, paperweights, incense containers, snuff bottles and small vases. Decorative elements are also generally drawn from the scholar's world, and include traditional landscapes, bird and flower groups and figural representations. The resulting images, carved in low relief in the fine clay matrix, are intricate and brilliantly crisp. Essays and detailed descriptions in bilingual English/Chinese. 358 pp., over 320 colour plates plus details of artists' marks. *** PLEASE NOTE - THIS VOLUME IS HEAVY AND WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL POSTAGE. *** . First Edition. Hard bound. New/new. 29 x 22 cm..

Hong Kong: Chinese University of HK, 1993. Catalogue of an important donation of 32 fine examples of Ming and Qing ceramics to the Art Museum of the Chinese University. Of particular interest is the fact that all examples illustrated bear unique studio ("hall") marks on their bases, rather than the more typically encountered date/reign marks. Such vessels were produced not only for imperial usage, but also for other members of the aristocracy, eminent scholars, high officials and even famous potters. Detailed descriptions, in bilingual English / Chinese, not only describe the objects but also explore the meaning and origin behind each studio mark. 75 pp., 75 col. plates, index of marks, bibliography. . First Edition. Hard bound. New/New. 21.5 x 15.2 cm.

Bangkok: TMC, 1995. The eternal love triangle: a drunkard, his son and an elephant. When Prince Suriya, "the number-one drunkard in Bangkok", accidentally finds himself in a forestry concession, he befriends its prized white elephant, the mischievous Maliwan, who shares his taste for rice wine and loves him obsessively. Meanwhile, the prince is believed to have died at sea. Two years later, as he is seriously ill with malaria, his "widow" is about to remarry. Will he come round in time to stop the wedding? How is Maliwan involved in this? And the prince's son? This gem of a novel, written during the Second World War, is an amazingly realistic tale of sacrifice in the name of love, at once humorous and tragic. First published in Thai, 1946. Printing limited to 3,200 copies. No dust jacket. 88 pp.. First English Edition. Hard bound. New/n/a. 20 x 13 cm..

Bangkok: White Lotus, 2009. The Elephant-Lore of the Hindus is a translation of the Matanga Lila by Nilakantha. It is the best available Sanskrit work on Elephantology. The introduction covers the place of elephant lore in Indian literature, both the theoretical and practical elements of the 'science, modern elephant-lore like good and bad points of elephants' castes, catching of elephants and others. The 12 chapters deal with the origin of elephants, favorable and unfavorable marks, longevity determination of measurements, details of price, marks of character, kinds of must, catching and keeping elephants and on the qualities of elephant drivers. This reprint is the first volume in a series of elephant books on Thailand and neighboring countries. It gives the basic knowledge of the Indian traditions on which the culture in keeping and training of elephants in Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam is based. xix, 129 pp., glossary, index.. Reprint. Soft Cover. New/n/a. 21 x 15 cm..

Macau: University of Macau, 2005. De Siqueira, the son of a 17th century Portuguese ambassador to Japan, settled in Macau following service in the Portuguese settlement in India. In 1684, he was dispatched to Siam by the Viceroy of India, on a mission to establish commercial ties with that country and also to attempt to thwart growing French influence in the Siamese court. The diary of the mission were found in the archives of Goa in poor state and are transcribed and translated in the present volume. They yield not only a fascinating trove of information on the mission itself, down to the details of banquets held for the visitors, but also insights into the overall diplomatic and political environment of the period. The author's introduction provides biographical details of de Siqueira and a view of life and commerce in Macau in the 17th century. 400 pp., 4 maps, glossary, bibliography, list of source documents. Print run of 500 copies only. . First Edition. Soft Cover. As New. 23 x 16 cm..