01/05/2026
θ¬η©ηζηΎοΌδ½δΈ¦ιδΊΊδΊΊι½θ½ηθ¦
π¬πππππππππ πππ ππππππ πππ πππ ππππππππ
π ππππ ππ
ππ°π―π§πΆπ€πͺπΆπ΄ (551-479 ππ)
As it happens, in the new update to my website I am offering some beautiful toys which are inspired by Chinese culture and traditions. They are, however made in Europe, with great attention to detail and beauty.
Since these are toys, I dare say I doubt whether everything was depicted with complete accuracy. The designers, producers and graphic artists of these games and toys had most probably never been to China. It is highly likely that they drew their inspiration from antique porcelain and prints and drawings that became increasingly widespread as, particularly in the 19th century, travel from the West to the East and vice versa became more common.
Chinese architecture in the 19th century (late Qing dynasty) was characterised by a continuation of centuries-old traditional architectural styles. Buildings were constructed with a strong emphasis on symmetry, which symbolised order and balance. In contrast to Western vertical architecture, the emphasis in China was on horizontal and diagonal lines, with buildings remaining low-rise and harmonising with their surroundings. Buildings typically featured sloping roofs.
All these features can be seen on the paper template sheets that come with this βChinese Colour and Architectural Playβ game that is made in Germany around 1850. The buildings can be assembled using colourful triangular tiles.
