THIERRY François.
Amulets and talismans of ancient China.
CNRS Editions.
Regular price
€89,00
| N° d'inventaire | 25164 |
| Format | 24 x 29 |
| Détails | 304 pages, numerous color illustrations, cloth bound under dust jacket. |
| Publication | Paris, 2021 |
| Etat | |
| ISBN | 9782271139023 |
In China, metal amulets constitute an ancient historical heritage but also a tradition whose practice and motivations remain very much alive.
Appearing at the beginning of the Han dynasty, around 200 BC, in various forms and designs, similar to coins, amulets fulfilled essential functions in daily life. While they were intended to attract luck in personal and social life, they also acted in the less concrete spheres of mysticism, exorcism, beliefs, religiosity, and esotericism. Bearers of invitations or prayers to celestial or divine entities, they also conveyed political messages about the happiness of society and loyalty to the dynasty. In this monumental, abundantly illustrated synthesis, relating to both numismatics and history, François Thierry explains in a precise and systematic manner the cultural bases of these different amulets and describes how these foundations are still operational today, including for those who collect these objects with incomparable aesthetic qualities.
Appearing at the beginning of the Han dynasty, around 200 BC, in various forms and designs, similar to coins, amulets fulfilled essential functions in daily life. While they were intended to attract luck in personal and social life, they also acted in the less concrete spheres of mysticism, exorcism, beliefs, religiosity, and esotericism. Bearers of invitations or prayers to celestial or divine entities, they also conveyed political messages about the happiness of society and loyalty to the dynasty. In this monumental, abundantly illustrated synthesis, relating to both numismatics and history, François Thierry explains in a precise and systematic manner the cultural bases of these different amulets and describes how these foundations are still operational today, including for those who collect these objects with incomparable aesthetic qualities.
Appearing at the beginning of the Han dynasty, around 200 BC, in various forms and designs, similar to coins, amulets fulfilled essential functions in daily life. While they were intended to attract luck in personal and social life, they also acted in the less concrete spheres of mysticism, exorcism, beliefs, religiosity, and esotericism. Bearers of invitations or prayers to celestial or divine entities, they also conveyed political messages about the happiness of society and loyalty to the dynasty. In this monumental, abundantly illustrated synthesis, relating to both numismatics and history, François Thierry explains in a precise and systematic manner the cultural bases of these different amulets and describes how these foundations are still operational today, including for those who collect these objects with incomparable aesthetic qualities.