DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26747#0205
Chap. I.
CONSTRUCTION OF ROOFS.
141
The only parts of sucli a roof tliat adrait of decoration loy carving
are evidently either tlre central or angular ridges ; and liere tlrey
exaggerate their favonrite liollow cnrve to an extent unpleasing to a
European eye—the angles heing virtually turned hack, in some in-
stances, and the ridge being also ornamented by upturned ornaments
at its ends, to an extent we cannot reconcile with our notions ; nor
indeed is it possible we should, when they are overloaded with gro-
tesque ornaments to the extent too often found.
Another peculiarity that gives so local a character to their architec-
ture is their mode of framing a roof, so unlike that used by any other
people. This arises from the timber they possess most easily available
for such a purpose being a small pine, found everywhere, in the south
at least, which has the peculiarity of being soft and spongy in the
inside; but the outer rims of wood, just under the bark, retain their
hardness and strength; so that practically it is a hollow wooden
cylinder; and if the carpenter were to attempt to square it, so as to
form a framing as we do, it would fall to pieces ; but merely cleaned
and used whole, it is a very strong and durable building material,
though one which it requires all a Chinaman’s ingenuity and neatness
to frame together with sufficient rigidity for the purposes of a roof.
The uprights which support these roofs are generally formed of the
same wood, though not unfrequently they are granite posts—they cannot
be called pillars—of the same dimensions, and strengthened, or rather
steadied, by transverse pieces of wood, the space between which and
the roof is generally filled with open-work carving, so as to form a
species of frieze.
The roof is usually constructed, as shown in diagram No. 92, by
using 3 or 4 transverse pieces or tie-beams, one over the other, and
supporting the ends of each beam on that below it by means of a
framed piece of a different class of wood. By this method, though it
may look unscientific to our eyes, they make up a framing that resists
the strongest winds uninjured. Sometimes, as shown in the dotted
lines of the same woodcut, they carry the curve across the top of the
roof; but when this is done they are obliged to have recourse to metal
roofing, or to tiles of a greater length than are usually found or easily
made.
As before remarked, however, it is not so much on its forms that
Chinese architecture depends as on its colours—the pillars being gene-
rally painted red, the friezes and open work green; blue marks the
floors and stronger lines, and gilding is used profusely everywhere.
Whether this would or would not improve a finer or more solid style
of art may admit of doubt; but it is certainly remarkably pleasing in
China, and singularly appropriate to the architecture we have been
describing; and grouped as these buildings usually are around garden.
courts, filled with the gayest flowers, and adorned with rock-work and.
fountains more fantastic than the buildings themselves, the fancy
may easily be charmed with the result, though taste forbids us to
approve of the details.
CONSTRUCTION OF ROOFS.
141
The only parts of sucli a roof tliat adrait of decoration loy carving
are evidently either tlre central or angular ridges ; and liere tlrey
exaggerate their favonrite liollow cnrve to an extent unpleasing to a
European eye—the angles heing virtually turned hack, in some in-
stances, and the ridge being also ornamented by upturned ornaments
at its ends, to an extent we cannot reconcile with our notions ; nor
indeed is it possible we should, when they are overloaded with gro-
tesque ornaments to the extent too often found.
Another peculiarity that gives so local a character to their architec-
ture is their mode of framing a roof, so unlike that used by any other
people. This arises from the timber they possess most easily available
for such a purpose being a small pine, found everywhere, in the south
at least, which has the peculiarity of being soft and spongy in the
inside; but the outer rims of wood, just under the bark, retain their
hardness and strength; so that practically it is a hollow wooden
cylinder; and if the carpenter were to attempt to square it, so as to
form a framing as we do, it would fall to pieces ; but merely cleaned
and used whole, it is a very strong and durable building material,
though one which it requires all a Chinaman’s ingenuity and neatness
to frame together with sufficient rigidity for the purposes of a roof.
The uprights which support these roofs are generally formed of the
same wood, though not unfrequently they are granite posts—they cannot
be called pillars—of the same dimensions, and strengthened, or rather
steadied, by transverse pieces of wood, the space between which and
the roof is generally filled with open-work carving, so as to form a
species of frieze.
The roof is usually constructed, as shown in diagram No. 92, by
using 3 or 4 transverse pieces or tie-beams, one over the other, and
supporting the ends of each beam on that below it by means of a
framed piece of a different class of wood. By this method, though it
may look unscientific to our eyes, they make up a framing that resists
the strongest winds uninjured. Sometimes, as shown in the dotted
lines of the same woodcut, they carry the curve across the top of the
roof; but when this is done they are obliged to have recourse to metal
roofing, or to tiles of a greater length than are usually found or easily
made.
As before remarked, however, it is not so much on its forms that
Chinese architecture depends as on its colours—the pillars being gene-
rally painted red, the friezes and open work green; blue marks the
floors and stronger lines, and gilding is used profusely everywhere.
Whether this would or would not improve a finer or more solid style
of art may admit of doubt; but it is certainly remarkably pleasing in
China, and singularly appropriate to the architecture we have been
describing; and grouped as these buildings usually are around garden.
courts, filled with the gayest flowers, and adorned with rock-work and.
fountains more fantastic than the buildings themselves, the fancy
may easily be charmed with the result, though taste forbids us to
approve of the details.