Celestial Beings and Bird-Men

Human Flight in Chinese Jade

Angus Forsyth

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Hardback

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English

Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd
29 October 2020

History of art: ancient & classical art; Asian history; Antiques & collectables: ceramics & glass

Jade figurines depicting human flight are a varied and expressive manifestation of this most prized artistic medium. Angus Forsyth, a prominent collector of Chinese jade, in this book explores the making in the Middle Kingdom (over a 2000-year period, from the Han Dynasty onwards) of unique objects depicting figural movement through the air.

He examines the depiction of apsaras (flying angels), kinnaras (bird-men), garudas (humanoid birds appearing in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology) and finally anthropomorphized bird headdress ornaments. He shows how these flying figures came to be associated with veneration of the gods and specific devotional practice. Examining a variety of representative objects, none of which has been seen in print before, the author reveals that the original concept behind flying celestial beings and bird-men originated not in China but in India and the Christianized West, via the Silk Road. A distinctive characteristic of Chinese artefacts is that, in contrast to their Western angelic counterparts, they often are wingless. The book discusses small and larger jade pieces alike.

By: Angus Forsyth
Imprint: Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 248mm, Width: 197mm,
Weight: 1.512kg
ISBN: 9781781300718
ISBN 10: 1781300712
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 29 October 2020
Audience: General/trade , Professional and scholarly , ELT Advanced , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Introduction and Overview Map of the Archaic World of East/West Human Flight Ideas through the Hellenisation of Central Asia and Percolation from India of Buddhism into China and the Far East Comparative East/West Timeline 1 The Flying Apsara In China 2 The Kinnara In China 3 Garuda 4 Anthropomorphic Bird Headdress Ornaments Select Bibliography Index

Angus Forsyth is an internationally respected collector of, and authority on, Chinese jade and a former president of the Oriental Ceramics Society of Hong Kong. He has given long and dedicated study to ancient jades, with special attention to the Neolithic period, publishing widely on the topic. His publications include Chinese Jade (1991) and Jades from China (coauthored with Brian McElney, 1994). The latter was written as the catalogue of an exhibition held in the Museum of East Asian Art in Bath, England, featuring more than two hundred jades from his own Peony Collection. Angus is the author of Ships of the Silk Road: The Bactrian Camel in Chinese Jade (PWP, 2018).

Reviews for Celestial Beings and Bird-Men: Human Flight in Chinese Jade

This marvelous book serves not only as a tantalizing introduction to the art of jade, but will evoke jealousy and admiration in fellow collectors and curators. -- Edith Terry * Asian Review of Books *