Chen Clan Temple

Chen Clan Temple
Dec 13, 2007 01:54
COLUKER Points: Join Date: Dec 13, 2007 Status: offline	In the late Qing Dynasty, the Chen clan was very powerful. The head of the clan initiated a fund-raising activity among 72 of the most respected and wealthy members of the clan to build the temple. Construction broke ground in 1890 and finished in 1894. Chen Clan Temple is a traditional courtyard house built with bricks and wood. On either side of the axis line are the main halls, joined by wings. The halls consist of 15 main rooms in three rows, with a yard attached to every row. The temple also known as the Chen Clan Academy because the Chen Clan Temple served as both an altar for ancestor-worship and a school to prepare Chen-clan students from 72 counties for the national civil service examination. The decorations of the Chen Clan temple were made by a variety of materials, including wood, bricks, papers and mortar, pottery, iron and frescoes. Most of the wooden sculptures are hollowed out and double-sided. The stone sculptures appear on pillars and foundations. Brick mosaics and sculptures made from paper and mortar are also of fine craftsmanship. The clay sculptures, the most characteristic decoration of Guangdong, are usually used to decorate ridges of the roof.

Dec 13, 2007 01:54

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In the late Qing Dynasty, the Chen clan was very powerful. The head of the clan initiated a fund-raising activity among 72 of the most respected and wealthy members of the clan to build the temple. Construction broke ground in 1890 and finished in 1894.
Chen Clan Temple is a traditional courtyard house built with bricks and wood. On either side of the axis line are the main halls, joined by wings. The halls consist of 15 main rooms in three rows, with a yard attached to every row.

The temple also known as the Chen Clan Academy because the Chen Clan Temple served as both an altar for ancestor-worship and a school to prepare Chen-clan students from 72 counties for the national civil service examination.

The decorations of the Chen Clan temple were made by a variety of materials, including wood, bricks, papers and mortar, pottery, iron and frescoes. Most of the wooden sculptures are hollowed out and double-sided. The stone sculptures appear on pillars and foundations. Brick mosaics and sculptures made from paper and mortar are also of fine craftsmanship. The clay sculptures, the most characteristic decoration of Guangdong, are usually used to decorate ridges of the roof.

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