CANTON China Temple of Buddha - 1841 Antique Print T. Allom

Description: Print Specifics: Type of print: Intaglio, steel engraving - Original antique printYear of printing: not indicated in the print - actual 1841 Artist: Thomas Allom Publisher: Fisher, Son & Co., London, Paris Condition: 1 (1. Excellent - 2. Very good - 3. Good - 4. Fair). Dimensions: 8 x 10.5 inches (20 x 27 cm), including blank margins (borders) around the image. Paper weight: 2 (1. Thick - 2. Heavier - 3. Medium heavy - 4. Slightly heavier - 5. Thin)Reverse side: Blank An excerpt from the original narrative: TEMPLE OF bUDDHA, CANTON: This system of fable, falsehood, and folly has many millions of admirers, and actually some millions of ministers, who assume the highest degree of sanctity and devotion to their calling. In every part of the empire are temples and monasteries of this absurd faith, sustained in some instances with an extravagance that is seldom exceeded by the followers of any other. In Canton there is one, situated a little to the west of the old English factory, less gorgeous in its decorations than those of Honan or Poo-too, but held in boundless esteem by the sect. The front, or entrance, consists of a low colonnade, ascended by a central flight of steps leading into a quadrangle, on one side of which is a long range of dormitories, on the other a gallery enclosed by railing, occupied by the " three precious Buddhas." Every frieze, or band, or panel that occurs in the architectural design, is inscribed with a sentence from the sacred writings, inculcating a moral precept, or alarming the indolence of the votaries. This practice is in itself a proof of the diffusion of education, to a certain extent, amongst the Chinese, for it is not confined to places of worship, where the hierophants are present to decipher the maxims—private houses, villas, entrances to all places of business, are also inscribed with the name or object of the building or locality. Passing from the first court, a second is reached, which is placed under the tutelage of two huge grim-visaged golden giants, in the act of gnashing their great teeth, and at the same time grasping their monstrous sabres. A third court is to be crossed, before the principal hall of the temple, the place of the high altar, is entered. In the centre of this apartment, which is less spacious than that appropriated to the Buddhist triad, is a pillar or pedestal of yellow gypsum, formed from a single block, and carved with a degree of skill and excellence scarcely to be surpassed. On its front panel is the figure of a female seated on a lion, and holding an infant in her lap; the character of the countenance is not Chinese, neither is the contour of the head. Above the square pillar rises a spiral cone, terminating in two elongated balls. The superiority of the design and perfection of the workmanship favour the conclusion that this exquisite sculpture is the production of foreign artists; but the avowed contempt in which the performances of strangers have always been held by the Celestials, presents an insurmountable objection. The temple-hall is an oblong area, the roof being sustained by wooden pillars resting on stone feet or pedestals. A spacious lantern admits a full flood of light, and drapery of richly-embroidered silk depends from its outline, while midnight lanterns of various patterns hang from the cross-beam of the roof. Martin2001 Satisfaction Guaranteed Policy! Any print purchased from me may be returned for any (or no) reason for a full refund including all postage. Internet seller since 1998.Five-star service.

Price: 18.2 USD

Location: Manassas, Virginia

End Time: 2024-09-09T18:26:45.000Z

Shipping Cost: 4.45 USD