Zhang Heng seismograph model, stained bone, China, circa late 19th/early 20th century.
6800,00 zł
Seismograph model made of natural animal bone (imitating ivory), engraved and stained. The surfaces are covered with rich ornamentation, consisting of floral and animal motifs (dragons, horses, fish) and a thread of flames. The egg-shaped body features eight figures of intricately carved dragons, to which eight toads correspond, sitting with open mouths on an octagonal base. The seismograph is topped by a figure of Tao reading the Tao Te Ching. The work is signed on the underside.
The prototype of the model is the world’s first seismometer, constructed in 132 by Chinese scientist Zhang Heng. The device indicated the direction from which an earthquake came, even if the phenomenon took place hundreds of kilometers from Luoyang – the capital of China at the time. The device was about 2.5 meters high and made of bronze. In the mouth of each of the eight dragons was a small iron ball, balancing between the teeth. Inside the body of the device was a metal pendulum, set in motion by the vibrations of the earth. A lever system activated by the pendulum opened the dragon’s mouth, and the falling ball fell into the frog’s mouth. The position of the frog, into which the ball fell, indicated the direction of the earthquake.
Historical context
This striking bone sculpture reproduces Zhang Heng's seismograph, constructed in 132 B.C. Zhang Heng was a prominent scholar during the Han Dynasty. The reign of the Han Dynasty was a period of prosperity and a significant spread of monetary circulation. From the reign of Emperor Wu (141-87 B.C.), the imperial court officially promoted, in both education and politics, Confucianism combined with the cosmology of later scholars such as Dong Zhongshu. During the Han Dynasty, there were significant scientific and technological advances. Paper, the rudder, the use of negative numbers, plastic maps, the hydraulically powered spherical astrolabe and the seismograph described above, which used an inverted pendulum, were invented.
Symbolism
In Chinese culture The dragon symbolizes power, the heavens, the order of the cosmos and elemental forces, while the toad represents earth, water and the cyclical nature. Their co-occurrence reflects the harmonious combination of heaven and earth, science and spirituality - the fundamental principles of Chinese philosophy.
Collector's value
An object rarely found on the European market, relatively large and impressive, yet fragile, making it difficult to transport. A collector's item, which due to its aesthetic value will find appreciation not only among the Lovers of oriental art and Southeast Asian culture.
Aesthetic qualities
The sculpture impresses with its thoughtful figural composition, precision carving, symmetry and richness of detail. Colored engravings, a variety of animal and plant motifs, as well as the figure of a reading Tao, make it a unique work of art.
Application
The model will be perfect as an interior decoration oriental style, a museum exhibit, a teaching item for educational institutions or as a unique piece for private collections. Its size and striking appearance make it a focal point of an arrangement. Ideal for Asian-inspired interiors, hotels or restaurants.
Biography of the creator of the first seismograph
Zhang Heng (78-139 BCE) was one of the most prominent scholars of the Han Dynasty era - an astronomer, mathematician, geographer and designer of precision scientific instruments. In 132 he developed the world's first working model of a seismograph, a device capable of detecting earthquakes and indicating the direction of their epicenter. He also created a hydraulically driven armillary sphere, one of the earliest astrolabes of its kind, and developed innovative cosmological models to describe the relationship between the heavens and the earth. His scientific activities were in harmony with the cosmological concepts of the era, which - within the framework of official Confucianism - emphasized the harmony between the forces of nature and the order of the cosmos. Thanks to his extraordinary versatility and innovative approach, Zhang Heng is today considered one of the greatest inventors and thinkers of ancient China.
| Dimensions | 51 × 35 × 35 cm |
|---|---|
| Type |
Decorative sculpture |
| Form |
Seismograph model with eight dragons and corresponding toads |
| Czas powstania |
late 19th/early 20th century |
| Materiał |
Natural stained and engraved bone |
| Kolorystyka |
Black ,Ivory shades ,Red |
| Kraj pochodzenia |
China |
| Style |
Oriental style inspired by Han dynasty iconography |
| Era |
Modernity |
| Autor |
Unknown |
| State of preservation |
Minor traces of repairs (gluing), otherwise excellent condition, no losses |
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