Oriental Architecture (History of World Architecture)

By Mario Bussagli

Tracing the evolution of architecture in the seven major regions of Central Asia and the Far East, this second volume of a 2-volume set covers Central Asia, China, Korea and Japan. The first volume... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810910160
• ISBN13: 9780810910164
• Release Date: December 1973
• Publisher: see notes for publisher info
• Length: 436 Pages
• Weight: 5.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 10.0" x 11.1"

Customer Reviews

A pictorial "Ferrari" of history of architecture books

A part of the series History of World Architecture originally published by Electa in Italian in 1971-7 under a general editorship of Pier Luigi Nervi, it was translated to English and published by Abrams in 1971-80 in b & w only, but at 10 x 11 1/4 inches. Subsequently, the series was reedited, shrunk to 8 5/8 x 9 1/2 inches, and published by Electa / Rizzoli in 1985-9 with a few color photos added including each front cover. In the early 2000's, the series was reissued by Phaidon unchanged except for the front cover photo. It is a pictorial "Ferrari" of history of architecture books. Almost every page contains one or - usually - more than one illustration as photo, plan, section, elevation, axonometric view, etc. of the highest quality. They depict the best examples of topical architecture covering the most significant ones. The text was written by one of the best experts in the field. While relatively concise, it is still comprehensive and complete enough even for students of architecture. (528 illustrations, including 82 diagrams, floor plans, and reconstructions in the Abrams' edition, and the Electa / Rizzoli edition with the same contents is divided into two volumes.) FRONT FLAP ABRAMS' EDITION: Oriental Architecture bears witness to the richness and diversity of the Oriental genius in architecture: Peking's Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China; the fabulous terraced sanctuary of Borobodur in Java; India's Great Stupa at Sanchi and the painted caves of Ajanta; the exquisite temples and shrines at Nara and Kyoto in Japan; the sublime temple complexes of Angkor in Cambodia; the imperial city of Hue in Vietnam; the royal necropoIls of Seoul in Korea; and the fortress-cities of Toprak-kala and Ajaz-kala in Central Asia - names that read like a litany of Eastern magnificence. These and many other monuments are concisely and informatively discussed and illustrated. PUBLISHER'S SYNOPSIS OF VOL. 1: Mario Bussagli (au); Arcangela Santoro (co); John Shepley (tr). This Oriental Architecture / 1 volume in Rizzoli's History of World Architecture series examines the complex architectural history of India, Indonesia, & Indochina. Mario Bussagli combines the art & architecture of these countries, enabling the reader to discover the "differentiated unity" of Asia. Whether it reflects Hindu, Buddhist, Shintoist, or Islamic cosmographies, oriental architecture embodies a profound religious spirit common to the most diverse strands of far Eastern culture & civilization. Mario Bussagli wrote the Introduction & Chapter One on India & Ceylon; & Arcangela Santoro wrote Chapter Two on Indonesia & Indochina. Includes a selected bibliography & over 300 color & black & white photos. Translated from the Italian. PUBLISHER'S SYNOPSIS OF VOL. 2: Mario Bussagli (au); Paola Mortari Vergara (co); Chiara Silvi Antonini (co); Adolfo Tamburello (co); John Shepley (tr). This Oriental Architecture / 2 volume in Rizzoli's History of World Architecture