Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art

Description

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

HUGE Mid 20th Century OIL PAINTING ON CANVAS LAID TO BOARD 40 x 28 Inches.

SIGNED BY Artist ‘ Chow ‘ lower right corner.

The Great Wall of China (traditional Chinese: 萬里長城 simplified Chinese: 万里长城 pinyin: Wànlǐ Chángchéng, literally "ten thousand li long wall") is a series of fortifications in China. They were built across the historical northern borders of ancient Chinese states and Imperial China as protection against various nomadic groups from the Eurasian Steppe.
The first walls date to the 7th century BC these were joined together in the Qin dynasty.
Successive dynasties expanded the wall system the best-known sections were built by the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).

To aid in defense, the Great Wall utilized watchtowers, troop barracks, garrison stations, signaling capabilities through the means of smoke or fire, and its status as a transportation corridor. Other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls (allowing control of immigration and emigration, and the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk Road), and the regulation of trade.

The collective fortifications constituting the Great Wall stretch from Liaodong in the east to Lop Lake in the west, and from the present-day Sino–Russian border in the north to Tao River in the south: an arc that roughly delineates the edge of the Mongolian steppe, spanning 21,196.18 km (13,170.70 mi) in total.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007.
Today, the defensive system of the Great Wall is recognised as one of the most impressive architectural feats in history.

The Chinese were already familiar with the techniques of wall-building by the time of the Spring and Autumn period between the 8th and 5th centuries BC.
During this time and the subsequent Warring States period, the states of Qin, Wei, Zhao, Qi, Han, Yan, and Zhongshan all constructed extensive fortifications to defend their own borders.
Built to withstand the attack of small arms such as swords and spears, these walls were made mostly of stone or by stamping earth and gravel between board frames.

Transporting the large quantity of materials required for construction was difficult, so builders always tried to use local resources stone was used in montane areas, while rammed earth was used while building in the plains.
There are no surviving historical records indicating the exact length and course of the Qin walls, as most of the ancient walls have eroded away over the centuries, and very few sections remain today. Later, the Han, the Northern dynasties and the Sui all repaired, rebuilt, or expanded sections of the Great Wall at great cost to defend themselves against northern invaders.
The Tang and Song dynasties did not undertake any significant effort in the region.
Dynasties founded by non-Han ethnic groups also built border walls: the Xianbei-ruled Northern Wei, the Khitan-ruled Liao, Jurchen-led Jin and the Tangut-established Western Xia, who ruled vast territories over Northern China throughout centuries, all constructed defensive walls, albeit being further north—reaching into the environs of present-day Mongolia—than Han-built fortifications.

FRAMED MEASUREMENTS
Special Green Marble Effect Veneer & Gilt

Height : 28 Inches ( 71 cm )
Width : 40 Inches ( 101 cm )

CONDITION
Very Good Order Throughout / Original Frame / Ready To Hang

DELIVERY
ANYWHERE WITHIN UK £80 ( Large Item ) Scotland £95

TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES : 07765 856171

Quote Ref : 0939