Transcript the forbidden city part3

HISTORY OF ART & ARCHITECTURE 3
THE HALL OF PRESERVING HARMONY
China: Art, Architecture & Interior
The original
throne sits in
the middle,
surrounded
by some fine
bronzes.
This hall was
the most
decorative of
all the halls.
The Hall of Preserving Harmony, sits on the northern end of
the three-tier marble terrace of the Outer Court, similar in style
but a bit smaller than the Hall of Supreme Harmony but larger
than the Hall of Complete Harmony.
It was first built in 1420, rebuilt in 1625 and renovated in 1765.
During the Ming dynasty, emperors would often prepare
for ceremonies here, practicing speeches and
changing clothes; for example, before ceremonies of
conferring the title of Empress or Crown Prince. During
the Qing dynasty, imperial banquets would usually be
given here.
HISTORY OF ART & ARCHITECTURE 3
THE LARGE STONE CARVING
China: Art, Architecture & Interior
This single stone is 16.75 meters long, 3.07 meters
wide and 1.7 meters thick. It weighs more than 200
tonnes. Quarried from the FangShan mountains west
of Beijing. It was put in place at the time the three
main Halls were built around 1418.
On the ascents and
descents to the
raised marble
platforms there are
large stone carvings
forming ramps
flanked by stairs. The
emperor was the only
person allowed to
pass over it. The
largest stone carving
lies on the descent
from the raised
platform of the Outer
Court, heading north
towards the Inner
Court, behind the Hall
of Preserved
Harmony. The
carvings always
involved the dragon,
symbol of celestial
power and the
emperor.
HISTORY OF ART & ARCHITECTURE 3
THE INNER COURT
China: Art, Architecture & Interior
THE GATE OF CELESTIAL PURITY
The three halls of the Inner Court are slightly
smaller scale versions of the three halls in the
Outer Court. Like the three great halls for official
ceremonies, they stand along the same northsouth axis on a second huge stone terrace.
Each gilded vats weights 4
tons by itself and can hold
4 tons of water.
The Gate of Celestial Purity is the main gate of the Inner
Court. In front of the gate, there is a courtyard which both
separates the Outer Court and the Inner Court and
integrates them.
HISTORY OF ART & ARCHITECTURE 3
THE HALL OF CELESTIAL PURITY
China: Art, Architecture & Interior
THE HALL OF CELESTIAL AND TERRESTRIAL UNION
The Palace of Celestial Purity or Palace of Heavenly
Purity is the smaller twin of the Hall of Supreme
Harmony. Sometimes this palace was used as the
emperors' bedroom palace. During the Qing dynasty,
when the emperor died, his coffin would be placed in this
palace for a few days to hold memorial ceremonies.
First built in 1420 and
rebuilt in 1655 and 1798.
One significance of the
name is the desire that
the emperor (celestial)
and the empress
(terrestrial) have a good
marriage. This hall
resembles the Hall of
Complete Harmony in
shape and is its smaller
twin. It is the smallest of
the three main palaces in
the Inner Court.
THE HALL OF TERRESTRIAL TRANQUILITY
This hall was the
residence of the
empress during the Ming
and Qing dynasties. The
emperor's bridal chamber
in the East Warmth
Chamber was painted
red and lanterns were
painted with red Double
Happiness characters. In
fact, nearly everything
there was red!