China Adorned: Ritual and Custom of Ancient Cultures

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Author: Qiyao Deng

Number of Pages: 400

Aesthetic influences drawn from China have long resonated throughout Western art, design and thought. China Adorned challenges the monolithic idea of ‘Chinese’ culture and fashion, turning the lens on the rich clothing traditions of ethnic minority groups. Drawing on three decades of research by cultural anthropologist Professor Deng Qiyao, the book documents and demystifies the customs, rituals and mythology of more than 30 minorities through their clothing and accessories. Deng’s never-before-published archival photos sit alongside stunning contemporary imagery by photographer Cat Vinton that showcases fabrics, jewellery and the surrounding landscapes, helping readers to better understand the deep connections between people, place, ritual and adornment. Contributor essays delve further into the textiles and methods, the role of the artisan, the extraordinary resilience of material culture and the importance of preserving these traditions for generations to come.