Material Culture in Europe and China, 1400–1800

Download or read book Material Culture in Europe and China, 1400–1800 written by S.A.M. Adshead and published by Springer. This book was released on 1997-09-12 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book reinterprets the rise of consumerism in terms of interaction between Europe and China 1400-1800. In particular, it examines the intellectual foundations of consumerism in food, dress, shelter, utilities, information and symbolism. It highlights consumerism as an expression of both rationality and freedom and indicates the constructive role it has played in the formation of the modern world. Particular use is made of comparisons between developments in Europe and China to differentiate both.