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Deco Belle Global Jewelry
Monday, July 28, 2008
 We've had such a great response to our Art Deco Kimono Fashion blog article, that we are posting a great exhibit for our West Coast customers. Now through October 12, 2008, the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Ana, California, is featuring the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World: Guardians of China's First Emperor.
How do you top building the Great Wall of China? Simple, build a city sized mausoleum. The first emperor of China built an entire terra cotta army, over 8,000 warriors, 520 horses, 130 chariots, and various acrobats and musicians to protect him in death. Ch'in Shih Huang Ti is the man who unified China in the 3rd century, B.C. (unification 221 BCE to 211 BCE) by conquering six other feudal states. This monarch is today known as Qin Shi Huang, his warriors are referred to as Qin's Armies
 It is believed that Qin may have buried hundreds of scholars alive in the Great Wall, though there is dispute about the "alive" part, but it is certifiable that he was indeed dead for his own first class funeral.
The remains of the craftsmen working in this tomb to create this vast army for Qin's afterlife, have been found within its confines. A sure way to keep the skilled craftsmen from divulging information about the tomb and the treasures that it housed.
 A vast army of skilled craftsmen was required to build such a grand funerary art city. Construction began in 246 BCE with over 700,000 workers. Studies show that 8 face moulds were most likely used and then clay was added to give each soldier individual features. Once assembled, the intricate features such as facial expressions were added to make each soldier unique. The figures vary in height from 6ft to 6ft-5in, according to their role, the tallest being the generals, and outfitted with uniform and hairstyle according to military rank, complete with color lacquer finish. These terra cotta figures were placed in the pits in precise military formation according to rank and duty.
 A local farmer discovered this archaeological site in 1974 while drilling for a water well. Yours truly has shaken hands with this farmer as he used to have a book signing area inside the pit/museum and purchased his autograph with a book of the warriors. We've been told that he no longer signs autographs or is allowed to take photos.
The majority of this army is still buried in these pits as cleaning and preserving each and every soldier is a very painstaking process, and hopes to keep the tomb intact. Only a portion of the site is currently excavated.
 Visit China for it's fine grade A Cubic Zirconia jewelry without leaving your keyboard. Deco Belle Global Jewelry brings you world jewelry right to your fingertips and delivers to your doorstep free of charge, free shipping in the United States. We have very competitive rates for the rest of the world, we ship worldwide.  Labels: art/lit/film, cz, travel
by: Deco Belle Inc.
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