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{{Short description|Architectural feature}}
{{Other uses|Caisson (disambiguation)}} {{Other uses|Caisson (disambiguation)}}
⚫ ]]]
⚫ {{wiktionarypar|caisson}}
⚫ The '''caisson''' ({{zh|c=藻井|p=zǎojǐng|l=algae well}}), also referred to as a '''caisson ceiling''', or '''''spider web ceiling''''',<ref name=schoolnet/> in ] is an architectural feature typically found in the ceiling of ]s and ]s, usually at the centre and directly above the main throne, seat, or religious figure.<ref name=schoolnet/><ref name="BMACH">{{cite web
⚫ ]]]
|date=April 2006
⚫ The '''Caisson''' ({{zh|c=藻井|p=zǎojǐng|l=algae well}}), also referred to as a '''caisson ceiling''', or '''''spider web ceiling''''',<ref name=schoolnet/> in ]n architecture is an architectural feature typically found in the ceiling of ]s and ]s, usually at the centre and directly above the main throne, seat, or religious figure.<ref name=schoolnet/><ref name="BMACH">{{cite web
⚫ |url=http://www.bjww.gov.cn/2006/4-12/10949-2.shtml
|year=2006
⚫ |title=浅谈法海寺曼陀罗的深刻内涵 (Deep meaning of the Mandala in the Fahai Temple in Brief)
|month=4
⚫ |publisher=Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage
⚫ |url=http://www.bjww.gov.cn/2006/4-12/10949-2.shtml
⚫ |language=zh
⚫ |title=浅谈法海寺曼陀罗的深刻内涵 (Deep meaning of the Mandala in the Fahai Temple in Brief)
⚫ |accessdate=2007-10-30
⚫ |publisher=Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage
⚫ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612213558/http://www.bjww.gov.cn/2006/4-12/10949-2.shtml
⚫ |language=Chinese
|accessdate=2007-10-30 |archive-date=2007-06-12
|url-status=dead
⚫ |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070612213558/http://www.bjww.gov.cn/2006/4-12/10949-2.shtml <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-06-12}}</ref>
}}</ref>
The caisson is generally a sunken panel set into the otherwise largely flat{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}} ceiling. It is often layered and richly decorated. Common shapes include square, octagon, hexagon, circle, and a combination of these.<ref name="people">{{cite web The caisson is generally a sunken panel set into the ceiling. It is often layered and richly decorated. Common shapes include squares, octagons, hexagons, circles, and a combination of these.<ref name="people">{{cite web
|year=
|month=
|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/features/architecture/zaojing.htm |url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/features/architecture/zaojing.htm
|title=Caisson ceiling (Zaojing) |title=Caisson ceiling (Zaojing)
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==Name== ==Name==
] caisson at Jingtu Temple of ].]]
], ]]] ], ]]]
⚫ The ''caisson'' is a general name for a ].<ref>Oxford English Dictionary, (1989) Oxford University Press, ''caisson''</ref> In the case of ]n architecture, however, the caisson is characterised by highly developed conventions as to its structure and placement.<ref name="BMACH"/><ref>{{cite web
], ].]]
|year=2006
⚫ The ''caisson'' is a general name for a ].<ref>Oxford English Dictionary, (1989) Oxford University Press, ''caisson''</ref> In the case of ], however, the caisson is characterised by highly developed conventions as to its structure and placement.<ref name="BMACH"/><ref>{{cite web
|month=8
|date=August 2006
|url=http://www.jianshe99.com/html/2006/8/li82951229583860025214.html |url=http://www.jianshe99.com/html/2006/8/li82951229583860025214.html
|title=礼制对中国古建筑的影响 (Influence of Rites on Ancient Chinese Architecture) |title=礼制对中国古建筑的影响 (Influence of Rites on Ancient Chinese Architecture)
|publisher=Construction Engineering Education Net |publisher=Construction Engineering Education Net
|language=Chinese |language=zh
|accessdate=2007-10-30 |accessdate=2007-10-30
}}</ref> }}</ref>

These are the following:
{{Expand|date=January 2008}}


==Structure== ==Structure==
The caisson is a sunken panel placed in the centre of the ceiling. It is raised above the level of the ceiling through the use the '']'' (斗栱) structure, which, through interlocking structural members, as beams were not used, creates successive levels of diminishing size. Beams may also be used to create a hexagonal or octagonal caisson surrounded by a square border. These beams, and the ''dougong'' members, are usually visible, and richly carved and often painted with deities.<ref name=schoolnet>{{cite web The caisson is a sunken panel placed in the centre of the ceiling. It is raised above the level of the ceiling through the use of the '']'' (斗栱) structure, which, through interlocking structural members, as beams were not used, creates successive levels of diminishing size. Beams may also be used to create a hexagonal or octagonal caisson surrounded by a square border. These beams, and the ''dougong'' members, are usually visible, richly carved and often painted with deities.<ref name=schoolnet>{{cite web
|year=
|month=
|url=http://library.taiwanschoolnet.org/cyberfair2001/C0116100083/en_artzau.htm |url=http://library.taiwanschoolnet.org/cyberfair2001/C0116100083/en_artzau.htm
|title= Zaojing ceiling |title= Zaojing ceiling
Line 45: Line 41:
}}</ref> }}</ref>


The centre of the caisson is decorated with a large '']'' carving or painting. Common themes include "two ]s chasing the ]. Caissons in the ] rooms of the ] feature a large, writhing ], from whose mouth issue a chandelier-like structure called the ] Mirror, a series of metal balls which are said to be able to show reflections of evil spirits.<ref>{{cite book |last=Yu |first= Zhuoyun | authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Palaces of the Forbidden City |year=1984|publisher=Viking |location=New York |id=ISBN 0-670-53721-7 }}, pp 253ff</ref> The centre of the caisson is decorated with a large '']'' carving or painting. Common themes include "two ]s chasing the ]". Caissons in the ] rooms of the ] feature a large, writhing ], from whose mouth issue a chandelier-like structure called the ] Mirror, a series of metal balls which are said to be able to show reflections of evil spirits.<ref>{{cite book |last=Yu |first= Zhuoyun |title=Palaces of the Forbidden City |year=1984|publisher=Viking |location=New York |isbn=0-670-53721-7 }}, pp 253ff</ref>


Caissons were originally used to support ]s. Therefore they are a relatively recent structure in the Chinese architectural history. However, they became increasingly intricate and formalised, and were in later periods a standard item of interior decoration in formal buildings.{{Citation needed|date=February 2008}} Caissons were originally used to support ]s. Therefore, they are a relatively recent structure in Chinese architectural history.


==Use in other structures== ==Use in other structures==
].]] ].]]
The caisson has been found in tombs of the ] dating the use of this architectural feature back at least 2,000 years.<ref>{{cite web The caisson has been found in tombs of the ] dating the use of this architectural feature back at least 2,000 years.<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.chinainfoonline.com/ChineseArchitecture/Caisson_Ceiling.htm
|year=
⚫ |title = Caisson ceiling
|month=
|url=http://www.chinainfoonline.com/ChineseArchitecture/Caisson_Ceiling.htm |publisher = chinainfoonline.com
|accessdate = 2007-09-13
⚫ |title=Caisson ceiling
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080724170830/http://www.chinainfoonline.com/ChineseArchitecture/Caisson_Ceiling.htm#
|publisher=chinainfoonline.com
|archive-date = 2008-07-24
⚫ |accessdate=2007-09-13
|url-status = dead
}}</ref> Besides subterranean structure, the oldest existent caisson in an above-ground structure is the one located above the 16&nbsp;m (52.5&nbsp;ft) tall statue of ] in the Guanyin Pavilion of Dule Monastery, Jixian, ] province, built in the year 984 during the ].<ref name="steinhardt 1994 11">Steinhardt, Nancy Shatzman. "Liao: An Architectural Tradition in the Making," ''Artibus Asiae'' (Volume 54, Number 1/2, 1994): 5–39. Page 11.</ref> Without the use of interior columns, this ceiling is held up by a hidden second floor four-sided frame with a hexagonal ceiling frame on the third floor.<ref name="steinhardt 1994 11"/> }}</ref> Besides subterranean structure, the oldest existent caisson in an above-ground structure is the one located above the {{convert|16|m|ft|adj=mid|-tall}} statue of ] in the Guanyin Pavilion of Dule Monastery, Jixian, ] province, built in 984 during the ].<ref name="steinhardt 1994 11">Steinhardt, Nancy Shatzman. "Liao: An Architectural Tradition in the Making," ''Artibus Asiae'' (Volume 54, Number 1/2, 1994): 5–39. Page 11.</ref> Without the use of interior columns, this ceiling is held up by a hidden second-floor four-sided frame with a hexagonal ceiling frame on the third floor.<ref name="steinhardt 1994 11"/>


In traditional Chinese architecture, every facet of a building was decorated using various materials and techniques. Simple ceiling ornamentations in ordinary buildings were made of wooden strips and covered with paper. More decorative was the ] ceiling, constructed of woven wooden strips or ] stems fastened to the beams. The most decorative and the most complex ceiling was the caisson. Because of the intricacy of its ornamentation, the caisson was reserved for the ceilings of the most important Chinese buildings such as ] and ] temple altars.{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}} In traditional ], every facet of a building was decorated using various materials and techniques. Simple ceiling ornamentations in ordinary buildings were made of wooden strips and covered with paper. More decorative was the ] ceiling, constructed of woven wooden strips or ] stems fastened to the beams. The most decorative and the most complex ceiling was the caisson.


The Baoguo Monastery in ] in ] has three ''zaojing'' (or ]s) in the ceiling, making it unique among surviving examples of ].{{Citation needed|date=February 2008}} Sanquing Hall (Hall of the Three Purities) is the only ] period structure with "three" zaojing in its ceiling. Sanqing Hall (Hall of the Three Purities) is a ] period structure with "three" zaojing in its ceiling. A ''zaojing'' is a wooden dome over an imperial throne or statue in Chinese architecture.<ref name=ching2>{{cite book
⚫ | first= Francis D.K.
{{Citation needed|date=January 2008}} A ''zaojing'' is a wooden dome over an imperial throne or statue in Chinese architecture.<ref name=ching2>{{cite book
⚫ | last= Ching
⚫ | first=Francis D.K.
⚫ | last= Ching et al.
| year= 2007 | year= 2007
| title= A Global History of Architecture | title= A Global History of Architecture
⚫ | publisher= John Wiley and Sons
| edition=
⚫ | location= New York
⚫ | publisher=John Wiley and Sons
| pages=
⚫ | location=New York
| isbn= 978-0-471-26892-5
| pages= 787
| display-authors= etal
| id= ISBN 0-471-82451-3}}</ref>
| url= https://archive.org/details/globalhistoryofa0000chin/page/787
}}</ref>


As the caisson became increasingly standard in formal architecture in ancient China, similar structures also appeared in ] grottos, such as in ]. These sunken panels in the ceiling of grottos would be carved to imitate the ''dougong''-based structure in wooden buildings.{{Citation needed|date=January 2008}} As the caisson became increasingly standard in formal architecture in ancient China, similar structures also appeared in ] grottos, such as in ].


== Cultural significance== ==Cultural significance==
Caissons where highly decorative and used only for the most richly decorated structures. They had no specific cultural significance, since in structure they are equal to ]s and ]s constructed around the world. However the rich oramentation often conveyed cultural significance in the themes chosen. Caissons were highly decorative and only included in important or highly decorated buildings. They had no specific cultural significance, since in structure they were equal to ]s and ]s constructed around the world. However the rich ornamentation often conveyed cultural significance in the themes chosen and in display within the caissons.

⚫ ==Notes==
⚫ {{reflist}}


==See also== ==See also==
* ] * ]
* ] * ]

* ]
⚫ ==Notes==
⚫ {{reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
⚫ {{wiktionary|caisson}}
* *
* *


{{DEFAULTSORT:Caisson (Asian Architecture)}}
⚫ ]
]
] ]
] ]
⚫ ]

]

Latest revision as of 13:57, 17 June 2024

Architectural feature For other uses, see Caisson (disambiguation).
A round caisson in the imperial garden at the Forbidden City

The caisson (Chinese: 藻井; pinyin: zǎojǐng; lit. 'algae well'), also referred to as a caisson ceiling, or spider web ceiling, in Chinese architecture is an architectural feature typically found in the ceiling of temples and palaces, usually at the centre and directly above the main throne, seat, or religious figure. The caisson is generally a sunken panel set into the ceiling. It is often layered and richly decorated. Common shapes include squares, octagons, hexagons, circles, and a combination of these.

Name

Jin dynasty caisson at Jingtu Temple of Shanxi.
A modern caisson in traditional style, in the Grand Hotel, Taipei
Caisson of the Worship Shrine, Qing-An-Gong, Shanhua District, Tainan City, Taiwan.

The caisson is a general name for a coffer. In the case of Chinese architecture, however, the caisson is characterised by highly developed conventions as to its structure and placement.

Structure

The caisson is a sunken panel placed in the centre of the ceiling. It is raised above the level of the ceiling through the use of the dougong (斗栱) structure, which, through interlocking structural members, as beams were not used, creates successive levels of diminishing size. Beams may also be used to create a hexagonal or octagonal caisson surrounded by a square border. These beams, and the dougong members, are usually visible, richly carved and often painted with deities.

The centre of the caisson is decorated with a large bas-relief carving or painting. Common themes include "two dragons chasing the pearl". Caissons in the throne rooms of the Forbidden City feature a large, writhing dragon, from whose mouth issue a chandelier-like structure called the Yellow Emperor Mirror, a series of metal balls which are said to be able to show reflections of evil spirits.

Caissons were originally used to support skylights. Therefore, they are a relatively recent structure in Chinese architectural history.

Use in other structures

The caisson of the Five Dragons Pavilion at the Beihai Park.

The caisson has been found in tombs of the Han dynasty dating the use of this architectural feature back at least 2,000 years. Besides subterranean structure, the oldest existent caisson in an above-ground structure is the one located above the 16-metre-tall (52 ft) statue of Guanyin in the Guanyin Pavilion of Dule Monastery, Jixian, Hebei province, built in 984 during the Liao dynasty. Without the use of interior columns, this ceiling is held up by a hidden second-floor four-sided frame with a hexagonal ceiling frame on the third floor.

In traditional Chinese architecture, every facet of a building was decorated using various materials and techniques. Simple ceiling ornamentations in ordinary buildings were made of wooden strips and covered with paper. More decorative was the lattice ceiling, constructed of woven wooden strips or sorghum stems fastened to the beams. The most decorative and the most complex ceiling was the caisson.

Sanqing Hall (Hall of the Three Purities) is a Yuan period structure with "three" zaojing in its ceiling. A zaojing is a wooden dome over an imperial throne or statue in Chinese architecture.

As the caisson became increasingly standard in formal architecture in ancient China, similar structures also appeared in Buddhist grottos, such as in Dunhuang.

Cultural significance

Caissons were highly decorative and only included in important or highly decorated buildings. They had no specific cultural significance, since in structure they were equal to cupolas and domes constructed around the world. However the rich ornamentation often conveyed cultural significance in the themes chosen and in display within the caissons.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Zaojing ceiling". taiwanschoolnet.org. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  2. ^ "浅谈法海寺曼陀罗的深刻内涵 (Deep meaning of the Mandala in the Fahai Temple in Brief)" (in Chinese). Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage. April 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-06-12. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
  3. "Caisson ceiling (Zaojing)". peopledaily.com. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  4. Oxford English Dictionary, (1989) Oxford University Press, caisson
  5. "礼制对中国古建筑的影响 (Influence of Rites on Ancient Chinese Architecture)" (in Chinese). Construction Engineering Education Net. August 2006. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
  6. Yu, Zhuoyun (1984). Palaces of the Forbidden City. New York: Viking. ISBN 0-670-53721-7., pp 253ff
  7. "Caisson ceiling". chinainfoonline.com. Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
  8. ^ Steinhardt, Nancy Shatzman. "Liao: An Architectural Tradition in the Making," Artibus Asiae (Volume 54, Number 1/2, 1994): 5–39. Page 11.
  9. Ching, Francis D.K.; et al. (2007). A Global History of Architecture. New York: John Wiley and Sons. pp. 787. ISBN 978-0-471-26892-5.

External links

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