The Marble Boat
by Debbie Oppermann
Title
The Marble Boat
Artist
Debbie Oppermann
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
"The Marble Boat" by Debbie Oppermann. "The waters that float the boat can also swallow it," was a quote from Wei Zhang, a chancellor of the Tang Dynasty, and this quote implied that the people can support the Emperor but can also topple him, which is why the Emperor chose to construct the Marble Boat on a solid stone base to indicate that the Qing Dynasty would not be overthrown. The original pavilion, built in 1755, was made of large stone blocks which supported a wooden super structure done in traditional Chinese design. Inlaid with colorful glass windows and wheels and paved with colored bricks, the boat measures 36 metres long and the two stories are 8 metres high. Both floors have giant mirrors to reflect the water. It was destroyed in 1860 during the Second Opium War and restored in 1893. In the new restoration, it was made out of wood but painted to imitate marble. The boat was used by Royals to take tea and is also called the Boat of Purity and Boat of Purity and Ease. Image taken at the Summer Palace grounds on Kunming Lake, Beijing China.
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July 23rd, 2014
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