Handscroll
Encyclopedia
The handscroll is a long narrow scroll for displaying a series of scenes in Chinese painting
. The handscroll presents an artwork in the horizontal form and can be exceptionally long, usually measuring up to a few meters in length and around 25–40 cm in height. Handscrolls are generally viewed starting from the right end. This kind of scroll is intended to be viewed flat on a table while admiring it section for section during the unrolling as if travelling through a landscape. In this way, this format allows for the depiction of a continuous narrative or journey.
(206 BCE - 220 CE), bamboo or wooden slips were bound and used to write texts on. During the Eastern Han Dynasty period (25-220), the use of paper
and silk
as handscrolls became more common. The handscroll was the one of the main formats for texts up until the Tang Dynasty
(618-907). Since the Three Kingdoms
period (220–280), the handscroll became a standard form of mounting, and new styles were developed over time.
On the right end of a scroll is a wooden stave (天杆 tiangan), which serves as a support to a scroll. A silk cord (帶子 daizi) and a fastener (別子 biezi) is attached to the stave and used to secure a rolled-up scroll. A wooden roller is attached on the left end and forms an axis to help roll up a scroll.
Chinese painting
Chinese painting is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world. The earliest paintings were not representational but ornamental; they consisted of patterns or designs rather than pictures. Early pottery was painted with spirals, zigzags, dots, or animals...
. The handscroll presents an artwork in the horizontal form and can be exceptionally long, usually measuring up to a few meters in length and around 25–40 cm in height. Handscrolls are generally viewed starting from the right end. This kind of scroll is intended to be viewed flat on a table while admiring it section for section during the unrolling as if travelling through a landscape. In this way, this format allows for the depiction of a continuous narrative or journey.
History
The handscroll originated from ancient Chinese text documents. From the Spring and Autumn Period (770-481 BCE) through the Han DynastyHan Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
(206 BCE - 220 CE), bamboo or wooden slips were bound and used to write texts on. During the Eastern Han Dynasty period (25-220), the use of paper
Paper
Paper is a thin material mainly used for writing upon, printing upon, drawing or for packaging. It is produced by pressing together moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets....
and silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
as handscrolls became more common. The handscroll was the one of the main formats for texts up until the Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
(618-907). Since the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
period (220–280), the handscroll became a standard form of mounting, and new styles were developed over time.
Description
A handscroll has a backing of protective and decorative silk (包首 baoshou) with a small title label (題籤 tiqian) on it. The front of a scroll usually consists of a title panel (引首 yinshou) at the right side, the artwork (畫心 huaxin) itself in the middle, and a colophon panel at the left side for various inscriptions. Vertical strips (隔水 geshui) are used to separate the different sections. Most handscrolls display only one painting, although several short paintings can also be mounted on the scroll.On the right end of a scroll is a wooden stave (天杆 tiangan), which serves as a support to a scroll. A silk cord (帶子 daizi) and a fastener (別子 biezi) is attached to the stave and used to secure a rolled-up scroll. A wooden roller is attached on the left end and forms an axis to help roll up a scroll.
Examples
See also
- Chinese paintingChinese paintingChinese painting is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world. The earliest paintings were not representational but ornamental; they consisted of patterns or designs rather than pictures. Early pottery was painted with spirals, zigzags, dots, or animals...
- Chinese calligraphy
- Chinese seal
- Ink and wash paintingInk and wash paintingInk and wash painting is an East Asian type of brush painting also known as ink wash painting. Only black ink — the same as used in East Asian calligraphy — is used, in various concentrations....