Top of page

Book/Printed Material Yang shi lei tu dang (1) lü xin shu wu yuan guang zhao li yang 样式雷图档(1)履信书屋圆光罩立样

About this Item

Title

  • Yang shi lei tu dang (1) lü xin shu wu yuan guang zhao li yang

Other Title

  • 样式雷图档(1)履信书屋圆光罩立样

Translated Title

  • Yangshi Lei Archives, 1. Vertical Plan of the Circular Gate at Lüxin Shuwu Library

Summary

  • Shown here is the vertical elevation of a circular decorative gate at the Luxin Shuwu library (Library of faith keeping), situated in a corner area in the Yuanmingyuan (the Old Summer Palace), a vast complex of gardens and palaces constructed in the 18th-19th centuries in the northwest suburbs of Beijing. An imperial library often functioned as a place to collect books, give lectures, hold discussions, or administer civil examinations. It was also possible for the emperor to rest, read, work, or interview various people there. The circular-shaped shield or gate was one type of the decorative carved wooden panels in Chinese interior architecture. Such panels varied in shape, as seen in the "two-leg shield" with a support on each side; the "railing shield" that has a railing-like panel on each side; and the "down-to-floor shield" that extends from floor to ceiling. Erecting such shields or gates in a building enables connection of the different spaces but also defines separation. Such decorative panels also provide beauty. Abundant carved decorations cover the beams and columns, with a tracery of latticework decorating the interconnecting spaces. Only the space in the middle is reserved for such decorative gates, with geometric patterns through which people can walk. The shapes of these gates vary, and can be circular, square, hexagonal, or octagonal. The circular gate plan depicted here is called yuan guang zhao (circular light shield). The Yangshi Lei Archives contain architectural plans, models, and documents of the Lei family, who for some 200 years during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) were designers of imperial buildings, tombs, and gardens.

Names

  • Lei, Yangshi Architect

Created / Published

  • [Place of publication not identified] : [Publisher not identified], [1800 to 1908]

Headings

  • -  China--Beijing--Beijing
  • -  1800 to 1908
  • -  Architectural decorations and ornaments
  • -  Architectural drawings
  • -  Architecture, Chinese
  • -  Doors and doorways
  • -  Gates
  • -  Libraries

Notes

  • -  Title devised, in English, by Library staff.
  • -  Original resource extent: 1 sheet ; 26.8 x 21.4 centimeters.
  • -  Original resource at: National Library of China.
  • -  Content in Chinese.
  • -  Description based on data extracted from World Digital Library, which may be extracted from partner institutions.
  • -  Title revised per Asian Division.--cc28 2023-01-06

Medium

  • 1 online resource.

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2021667450

Online Format

  • compressed data
  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

The Library of Congress is unaware of any copyright or other restrictions in the World Digital Library Collection. Absent any such restrictions, these materials are free to use and reuse. Researchers are encouraged to review the source information attached to each item. For information on contacting WDL partner organizations, see this archived list of partners

The Library asks that researchers approach the materials in this collection with respect for the culture and sensibilities of the people whose lives, ideas, and creativity are documented here.

Credit Line: [Original Source citation], World Digital Library

More about Copyright and other Restrictions

For additional information and contact information for many of the partner organizations, see this archived capture of the World Digital Library site from 2021.

For guidance about compiling full citations consult Citing Primary Sources.

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Lei, Yangshi Architect. Yang Shi Lei Tu Dang 1 Lü Xin Shu Wu Yuan Guang Zhao LI Yang. [Place of publication not identified: Publisher not identified, to 1908, 1800] Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667450/.

APA citation style:

Lei, Y. A. (1800) Yang Shi Lei Tu Dang 1 Lü Xin Shu Wu Yuan Guang Zhao LI Yang. [Place of publication not identified: Publisher not identified, to 1908] [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667450/.

MLA citation style:

Lei, Yangshi Architect. Yang Shi Lei Tu Dang 1 Lü Xin Shu Wu Yuan Guang Zhao LI Yang. [Place of publication not identified: Publisher not identified, to 1908, 1800] Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2021667450/>.