Title: Superfluous things
First published: 1991
Description: "This book, presented here with a new preface, examines the history of material culture in early modern China. Craig Clunas analyzes "superfluous things"--The paintings, calligraphy, bronzes, ceramics, carved jade, and other objects owned by the elites of Ming China - and describes contemporary attitudes toward them. He informs his discussions with references to both socio-cultural theory and current debates on eighteenth-century England concerning luxury, conspicuous consumption, and the growth of the consumer society."--Jacket.
Subjects: History, Social classes, Material culture, Social life and customs, Social classes, china, China, history, to 221 b.c., China, social life and customs, Classes sociales, Histoire, Culture matérielle, Materiële cultuur, Sociale status, Geschichte, Mingdynastie, Sachkultur, Sozialstatus
Places: China
Time periods: Ming dynasty, 1368-1644, 20th century, 960-1644
LC classification: HN740.Z9 S6233 1991