Incense Burner Rooster

The American Museum of National History in Central Park, New York City was remarkable to explore. There were many interesting and valuable artifacts in the museum that are a precious treasure to the history of America and how the items relate to one another. The color, shape, and style demonstrated the significance of understanding where the artifacts came from and how they were created. I enjoyed looking at the antiques and heirlooms that gave purpose to its development of the Chinese history and culture. One of my favorite artifacts that was exquisite to see was the Incense Burner in the Shape of a Rooster. This special item was created in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), 18th century with a Cloisonné enamel on copper. The rooster in Chinese culture is a symbol of diligence and fortune. The rooster is a particularly popular Chinese decorative motif. This incense burner has an ingenious design. The hollow body houses the burning incense and the detachable wings serve as the lid with several small openings on

the wings allowing the fragrant smoke to escape.
Another artifact in the Museum of National History that was fascinating to observe was the Set of Twelve Zodiac Animals. This item was created during the Tang dynasty (618-907), 8th century and is the set of animals which represents the twelve-year cycle and the twelve hours of the day in the Chinese calendar. They have been associated with the calendrical cycle from the third century B.C., to the present day. As burial practices became more elaborate in the late Southern and Northern Dynasties (386-589), pottery figures of the zodiac animals wearing official robes became popular tomb offerings. They were viewed as symbols of renewal and regeneration.
China was unified under the first emperor of the short-lived Qin dynasty (221-206 B.C.).

The political and cultural integration of the empire was successfully completed under the succeeding Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220). The arts of the Han period demonstrate remarkable uniformity. There are local variations in style and technology, but the formation, themes, and underlying concepts of the decorations are common to work produced in all parts of the empire. In the Chinese garden, rocks are an important symbolic and compositional element. Monoliths set on end are called peaks (Feng); piled compositions such as the one in the corner are called artificial mountains (Jiashan). The rocks are eroded limestone boulders from Lake Tai, near Suzhou. One of the principles of the Chinese garden design is the use of walls and openings to create the illusion of space beyond space. The lattice of each window is a different geometric pattern to delight the eye through

variety.
Learning about Russian culture and discovering many different types of artifacts that are connected to its history was intriguing. The Imperial Bridal Fan was created in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 1991. The work master who was responsible for this piece was Michael Evlampievich Perchin. Several close members of the imperial family presented this fan to Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna upon the occasion of her marriage to Prince Peter of Oldenburg on July 27, 1901. Decorated on one side, the central panel shows the couple receiving homage from their attendants in the traditional Russian bread-and-salt ceremony. On the small panel below is a watercolor of Gatchina Palace where the wedding took place.
The Jewish Woman of Algiers was created by Charles-Henri- Joseph Cordier (1827-1905) where this statue was demonstrated as an Algerian onyx-marble, bronze and gilt bronze, enamel, amethyst eyes; white marble socle in French, Paris in 1862. Cordier was Europe’s premier ethnographical sculptor. He treated his subjects, studied intensely during travels in France’s North African colonies, as exotic beings, but not as stereotypes. He presents our richly dressed young beauty as alter, but also contemplative. This is the earliest dated example of a composition that won marked success, in each case replicated with variants in the materials used. The Algerian onyx-marble was quarried expressly for Corderi’s use. The pedestals of this and the companion bust nearby, the Capresse des Colonies, are original, attributable to Charles-Francois Rossigneux. Busts and pedestals together were bought directly from Cordier by the Cercle des Phoceens, a gentlemen’s club in Marseille.
The American Museum of National History in Central Park, New York City was captivating and an engaging experience. All of the art in the museum was alluring to the audience’s eye. I wholeheartedly believe that this museum is important for all children, teens, and adults to explore so that they can learn the significant value of our art’s history. Customer service was kind and willing to answer any questions that we may have had regarding the art’s prestigious design. I recommend this museum to all my family and rate this tourist spot one through ten as ten point star location. I enjoyed all the exhibits that the museum had to offer and was attentive to comprehend the quality of the information that was given for the specific artifacts. I am looking forward to visiting more museums in the future in New York City and will gladly appreciate the art’s creativity which illustrates a significant inspiration in America.