Gallery 326, Asian Art, third floor
Main Building
Gallery 326, Asian Art, third floor
Main Building
The palatial residence, like a traditional family compound, was built on a rectangular plan, facing south, and surrounded by a wall. The reception hall, the most formal of the many buildings, would have been located on the central axis, not far from the south gate. Here, Wang Cheng-en would have received guests and petitioners. The white plaster and brick walls and tile floor are modern replacements, but the rest is original, from the marble bases of the great lacquered wooden columns to the peak of the roof.
As in all East Asian buildings, in contrast to Western architecture, the structure of the roof is greatly emphasized. All of the supporting members of the immensely heavy tile roof have been left exposed, and are accentuated by surface decoration. Although some of the brilliantly painted decoration has been lost, the effect is still one of dignified beauty. The hall is furnished with lacquer storage chests, a dog cage, porcelains, jades, and imperial jewelry. The Crozier Collection of rock crystal, formerly part of the Chinese Imperial Collection, is also displayed here in cases.
Gallery 326, Asian Art, third floor
Title: | Reception Hall |
Date: | 1640s |
Artist: | Artist/maker unknown, Chinese |
Medium: | Wood with painted decoration |
Dimensions: | 18 feet x 46 feet 4 1/4 inches x 35 feet 2 1/2 inches (548.6 x 1412.9 x 1073.2 cm) |
Classification: | Architecture (including fragments) |
Credit Line: | Gift of Edward B. Robinette, 1929 |
Accession Number: | 1929-163-1 |
Geography: | Made in Beijing, China, Asia |
Context: | Dynasty: Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) |
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Gallery 326, Asian Art, third floor
Main Building