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{{otheruses|caisson}} {{otheruses|caisson}}
]]] ]]]
The '''Caisson''' ({{zh-cpl|c=藻井|p=zǎojǐng|l=algae well}}), also referred to as a '''ceiling caisson''', '''caisson ceiling''', or '''''zaojing''''', in ]n architecture is an archiectural feature typically found in the ceiling of ]s and ]s, usually at the centre and directly above the main throne, seat, or religious figure. The caisson is generally a sunken panel set into the otherwise largely flat ceiling. It is often layered and richly decoracted. Common shapes include square, octagon, hexagon, circle, and a combination of these. <ref name="people">{{cite web The '''Caisson''' ({{zh-cpl|c=藻井|p=zǎojǐng|l=algae well}}) in ]n architecture is an archiectural feature typically found in the ceiling of ]s and ]s, usually at the centre and directly above the main throne, seat, or religious figure. The caisson is generally a sunken panel set into the otherwise largely flat ceiling. It is often layered and richly decoracted. Common shapes include square, octagon, hexagon, circle, and a combination of these.
|year=
|month=
|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/features/architecture/zaojing.htm
|title=Caisson ceiling (Zaojing)
|publisher=peopledaily.com
|accessdate=2007-09-03
}}</ref>


==Name== ==Name==
], ]]] ], ]]]
The '']'' is a general name for any sunken panel placed in the ceiling.<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. The name ''zaojing'', is a combination of ''zǎo'' (]s) and ''jǐng'' (]). <ref name="nancy">{{cite book The '']'' is a general name for any sunken panel placed in the ceiling. In the case of ]n architecture, however, the caisson is characterised by highly developed conventions as to its structure and placement.
| first=Nancy W.
| last= Steinhardt
| year= 2002
| title=Chinese Architecture
| edition= English Ed.
| publisher=Yale University Press
| location=
| pages= p. 8
| isbn= 0-300-09559-7 }}</ref>

==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, 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. The ''zaojing'' resembles an intricately carved or painted ], ] or ].<ref>{{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 the ''dougong'' (斗栱) structure, which, through interlocking structural members, 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.
|year=
|month=
|url=http://library.taiwanschoolnet.org/cyberfair2001/C0116100083/en_artzau.htm
|title= Zaojing ceiling
|publisher=taiwanschoolnet.org
|accessdate=2007-09-03
}}</ref>


The centre of the caisson is decorated with a large '']'' carving or painting. Common themes include "two ]s chasing the pearl. Caissons in the throne rooms of the ] feature a large, writhing dragon, 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 base relief carving or painting. Common themes include "two ]s chasing the pearl. Caissons in the throne rooms of the ] feature a large, writhing dragon, 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.


Caissons were originally used to support ]s. However, they became increasingly intricate and formalised, and were in later periods a standard item of interior decoration in formal buildings. Caissons were originally used to support ]s. However, they became increasingly intricate and formalised, and were in later periods a standard item of interior decoration in formal buildings.
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] in ]. this example combines features of the square, octagonal, and round caissons.]] ] in ]. this example combines features of the square, octagonal, and round caissons.]]


==Use in other structures== ==Use in grottos==
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
|year=
|month=
|url=http://www.chinainfoonline.com/ChineseArchitecture/Caisson_Ceiling.htm
|title=Caisson ceiling
|publisher=chinainfoonline.com
|accessdate=2007-09-13
}}</ref>

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.<ref name="nancy"/>

The tomb of Empress Dowager Wenmind of the ] has a caisson in the flat-topped, vaulted ceiling in the back chamber of her tomb.<ref name="fu">{{cite book
| first=Fu
| last= Xinian
| year= 2002
| title=Chinese Architecture -- The Three Kingdoms, Western and Eastern Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties
| edition= English Ed.
| publisher=Yale University Press
| location=
| pages= p. 76
| isbn= 0-300-09559-7 }}</ref> The Baoguo Monastery in ] in ] has three ''zaojing'' in the ceiling, making it unique among surviving examples of ]. Sanquing Hall (Hall of the Three Purities) is the only ] period structure with three zaojing in its ceiling.
<ref name="gao">{{cite book
| first=Gao
| last= Daiheng
| year= 2002
| title=Chinese Architecture -- The Lia, Song, Xi Xia, and Jin Dynasties
| edition= English Ed.
| publisher=Yale University Press
| location=
| pages= pp 134&ndash;135
| isbn= 0-300-09559-7 }}</ref> ''Zaojing'' are frequently found in ] tombs.<ref name="people"/>

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. 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.


==Cultural significance== ==Cultural significance==
As well as being decorative, caissons are associated with the element of ] (being an "algae ]" or '']''), and thus is believed to help prevent fire, an important concern in the predominantly wooden buildings of classical ].<ref name="people">{{cite web As well as being decorative, caissons are associated with the element of ] (being an "algae ]"), and thus is believed to help prevent fire, an important concern in the predominantly wooden buildings of classical ].
|year=
|month=
|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/features/architecture/zaojing.htm
|title=Caisson ceiling (Zaojing)
|publisher=peopledaily.com
|accessdate=2007-09-03
}}</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>


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

Revision as of 20:52, 9 October 2007

For other uses, see caisson.
A round caisson in the imperial garden at the Forbidden City

The Caisson (Chinese: 藻井; pinyin: zǎojǐng; lit. 'algae well') in East Asian architecture is an archiectural 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 otherwise largely flat ceiling. It is often layered and richly decoracted. Common shapes include square, octagon, hexagon, circle, and a combination of these.

Name

A modern caisson in traditional style, in the Grand Hotel, Taipei

The caisson is a general name for any sunken panel placed in the ceiling. In the case of East Asian 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 the dougong (斗栱) structure, which, through interlocking structural members, 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.

The centre of the caisson is decorated with a large base 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 Xuanyuan 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. However, they became increasingly intricate and formalised, and were in later periods a standard item of interior decoration in formal buildings.

A modern take on the caisson, in the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. this example combines features of the square, octagonal, and round caissons.

Use in grottos

As the caisson became increasingly standard in formal architecture in ancient China, similar structures also appeared in Buddhist grottos, such as in Dunhuang. These sunken panels in the ceiling of grottos would be carved to imitate the dougong-based structure in wooden buildings.

Cultural significance

As well as being decorative, caissons are associated with the element of Water (being an "algae well"), and thus is believed to help prevent fire, an important concern in the predominantly wooden buildings of classical Chinese architecture.

See also

External links

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