Research On Special Kinds Of Palmette Design In Southern And Northern Dynasties And Sui Dynasty

This paper systematically analyzes two special kinds of palmette design of Southern and Northern Dynasties and Sui Dynasty: one is the peach-shaped palmette design,the other is the enclosed palmette design.Based on comprehensive collection of materials,it utilizes archeological research methodologies to figure out their development in China as well as their relationship with similar patterns in the West.The peach-shaped palmette design can be divided into two major types: the foliage peach-shaped palmette and the cloud peach-shaped palmette.The foliage peach-shaped palmette,which emerged from the latter part of early Southern and Northern Dynasties,contains two systems: the Southern and Northern China's system,which mainly distributed around Hanshui Valley,and the Hexi Corridor's system,which centered on Dunhuang.The cloud peach-shaped palmette,which was based on the foliage peachshaped palmette and absorbed the idea of traditional cloud pattern,came into being during late Northern and Southern Dynasties,centering on Luoyang and Yecheng.As for the enclosed palmette design,it can be divided into two types: the general enclosed palmette and the special enclosed palmette.This design was mainly prevailed around the midnorms of the Northern Wei and continued into the Northern Qi Dynasty.Most examples were found around Pingcheng,while a small amount distributed in other places,such as Luoyang.Early examples of these two designs were first seen on decorations in Mediterranean areas during ancient Greek and Roman period.They were introduced into China sometime between the Southern and Northern Dynasties and got Sinicized soon.The form of so-called special palmette design is different from the general ones which have one continuous grass vine.It has a relatively independent development lineage,contains rich cultural exchange information,and forms a distinctive component of Chinese decorative system.