The Giraffe in History and Art

'The Giraffe in History and Art' is a fascinating scholarly exploration of one of the world’s most distinctive animals and its impact on human culture through the ages. Written by the renowned anthropologist and historian Berthold Laufer, this work traces the giraffe’s history from its earliest mentions in ancient texts to its representation in the art of diverse civilizations, including ancient Egypt, Persia, and Imperial China.Laufer meticulously examines how this unique creature was perceived by explorers, monarchs, and artists alike. The book highlights significant historical milestones, such as the arrival of giraffes at the Chinese court during the Ming dynasty, which were famously identified as the mythical qilin. Laufer also discusses the linguistic evolution of the animal’s name across different societies and the giraffe’s role in the development of zoological knowledge.Through a blend of historical documentation and art historical analysis, the author provides deep insight into the giraffe’s symbolic importance and its presence in the human record. This volume serves as a valuable resource for readers interested in the intersection of zoology, history, and artistic expression, offering a compelling look at how exotic wildlife has captivated human imagination for millennia.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.