COLLECTION NAME:
Archivision Base to Module 9
Record
Preferred Title:
Forbidden City: Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing gong)
Alternate Title:
???
Image View:
Bronze statue of a crane
Creator:
unknown (Chinese)
Location:
site: Forbidden City (Beijing, Beijing Shi (municipality), China)
Location Note:
Central Beijing
GPS:
+39.914722+116.390556
Date:
1644?1911 (alteration); begun 1421 (creation)
Cultural Context:
Chinese
Style Period:
Chinese; Ming; Qing
Work Type 1:
historic site
Work Type 2:
capital city
Work Type 3:
royal palace
Classification:
architecture
Material:
brick; stucco; tile; painted wood
Technique:
carving (processes); construction (assembling); painting and painting techniques
Subjects:
architecture; decorative arts; historical; rulers and leaders; imperial palace
Description:
The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. The Inner Palace, on the main axis north of the five-bay Gate of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing men), was a more private part of the Forbidden City. The three inner halls mirror the three great halls of state in the front precinct including the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing gong). Dragons dominate the decoration of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the most important building of the group as indicated by its double-eaved, hipped roof. It has a prominent roof ridge with dragon acroteria. It is set on a single-level white marble platform. It is connected to the Gate of Heavenly Purity to its south by a raised walkway. The Palace of Heavenly Purity was first constructed in the early Ming dynasty in 1421. The present structure dates from the early 19th century. It served for centuries as the living and sleeping quarters of the ruling Emperor. (Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/)
Image Description:
The bronze incense burners symbolize the eighteen provinces of the empire. The bronze tortoises and cranes represent long life; the sundial symbolizes imperial justice.
Collection:
Archivision Addition Module Six
Identifier:
1A2-CH-B-FC-HHP-A48
Rights:
© Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc.
Forbidden City: Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing gong)
