China....dragons.....elaborate tilework...this must be the
Forbidden City!
In the middle of Beijing, China is the Imperial Palace...... the outer and inner courts are surrounded with high decorative walls created for protection as well as beauty.
The nine dragon wall is part of the inner court where the emperor resided. Began by the Ming dynasty,this is a screen to the Palace of Tranquil Longevity.
A copy of this is in Chicago's Chinatown.
The intricate, glazed tiles are works of art in themselves.
The Forbidden City used tile for roof ornamentation and pathways.
The three dimensional bas-relief tiles are incredibly detailed.
Wall panels of bas relief tiles are placed at intervals between the 900 plus buildings.
Yellow is the color of the emperor and was used on almost every roof. Green symbolized wood and growth.
The color of blue for the roof tiles is that perfect watery blue-green......
Even the end caps of the tiles have the symbol of the dragon!
11 comments:
Theresa,
Once again, you've opened my eyes to new beauty. I always thought that these were woodcarvings, and now that I see that they're tiles I'm dumbfounded. The blues are incredible. (Your photo matches nicely!)
Loved the quotes you sent along. Thanks so much.
Have a great weekend, my friend -
Catherine
Theresa, how fabulous, these are so intricate and beautiful works of art. You posts are all wonderful!!
I have a giveaway of an Artistic Designer Pillow, come join in!
Karena
Art by Karena
Dear Theresa, another beautiful post! Thank you for bringing the far corners of the world to us.
Did you plan the photograph of the same colors as your outfit right next to your picture? I bet you didn't even notice. You did it intuitively.
Wonderful post as usual... I expect only the best from you because you've got it going on Theresa!!! I love the photo with the watery blue green bamboo roof tiles as they remind me of the exact color of the bamboo on my chinoiserie fireplace I bought in France. I fell in love with that color when I first laid eyes on it in Paris but didn't know the historic significance until now. If you haven't seen my fireplace check it out sometime. It truly is amazing!
Have a wonderful weekend :)
Gina...noooo , I did not realize that the photos were the same color family! I am drawn to those colors over and over and over....LOL as you can tell in many of my posts!
Such artistry, such colors, such attention to detail, it must be the chinese...of yore. GREAT post Theresa! I'll email you for some guest posting about floors for the second part of my Help! column; hope you will participate. Thanks
Oh, loved this tour of The Forbidden City. Every picture captured my imagination. Gorgeous!
Theresa,
What a fantastic post, every time I come here I'm never disappointed
Peace!
Exquisite shots.
I never wanted to go before!
Now...must think..must think
Very lovely. When I was a child in Singapore the Sunday treat was to visit The Tiger Balm Gardens. Think colour riot, dragons, fretwork and fabulous tiles. When I revisited a few years ago I bought the last remaining dragons from the gift store. They were closing down the gardens that very day.
Oh Helen, I forgot that is where you grew up! I think is is poignant you got the last dragons on the day they closed....perfect closure! See you in Portland!!
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