Little knowledge of ancient architecture - shop head, door cymbals, the gift of China‘s Millennium f

2018-12-26

Door is the most important part of ancient Chinese architecture
The ancients said that "the house takes the portal as the crown belt"
Compare a facade to a face
The importance of visible doors




There is often a fixed knock ornament called door ring on the door leaf of ancient buildings
Use the paving head or door cymbal as the base


Shop head

The head of the shop, commonly known as the monster holding ring, is a kind of animal face pattern. It is mostly fierce beasts such as Jiaotu, Taotie, lion, tiger and dragon. It is embedded on the gate as the base of the door ring. It can also be used for decoration without holding the ring. It can also be used to install handles on bronzes, pottery and other utensils.



The first rank ring is a common style in the homes of emperors and dignitaries



Ming history records:


The main gate of the four cities of the prince‘s residence is nailed with gold and copper rings
Green copper ring at the gate of Prince‘s residence
Baiguandi zhonggonghou door is made of gold painted animal face tin ring
Grade I and II official gate green animal face tin ring
Three to five grade official door black oil tin ring
Six to nine grade official gate black oil iron ring


Door cymbal

The door cymbals are made of iron or copper and decorated on the left and right of the door in a symmetrical position. They look like "Cymbals" in the percussion band, so they are called "door cymbals". The door cymbals are usually round, hexagonal and octagonal in shape. Flowers, plants and cirrus clouds are made at the edge. The middle part is raised like a sphere with a button head circle. They are often hung with a flat leaf shaped accessory, commonly known as "flat leaf" (also known as door ring). The door cymbals are used by ordinary houses.


Shop head and door cymbals have lasted for thousands of years in China. They are an ancient architectural component integrating practicality, decoration and door rank. They have also become a part of China‘s ancient architecture "door culture".



Note: the pictures come from the Internet and are only for learning and reference. The copyright of photographic works belongs to the original author and the company.
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