Evolution Of Peony Ornamentation From Style To Pattern In Late Ming Dynasty

The late Ming Dynasty was a historical period with controversy.It was decided by the new trends in the social development.During this period,the political situation was chaotic while social economy was highly developed social economy.Great changes took places both in culture and daily life.As a typical Chinese traditional ornamentation,the peony ornamentation is one of the most important decorative elements with visual aethetics.It has rich cultural implication as well as many levels of meanings in folk psychology.The peony ornamentation,representing state and government,is extended to be the symbol of the orthodox Han dynasty.Since late Ming Dynasty,it has further become a spiritual symbol of China.The leading status of peony ornamentation in decoration additionally set by its reputation as national flower and national beauty.Style and pattern are parts of formal analysis in design disciplines.Style is individual and unique so that it can not be used as paradigmatic sample in scale production.Pattern,which is characterized by regularity,productivity,and breadth,can be used as a paradigm for reference.In this study,the process of peony ornamentation's evolution from style to pattern basing on the historical period of late Ming Dynasty is summarized.The study analyses the development of the peony ornamentation pattern and the paradigm embodying in different utensils by classifying categories and citing instances.The driving force of the evolution of peony ornamentation from style to pattern in the late Ming Dynasty can be summarized in to three points,which are the secularization of culture and idea,the expansion of replication technology,the development of material,and the prosperity of commerce.The evolution of the peony ornamentation demonstrated that the humanistic life in the late Ming society was gradually becoming secular and popular.