This very brief survey aims to
reflect, and to help you to follow,
what you are likely to see most of in
Chinese provincial and city museums -
and to an extent in situ. Many of the
museums have a similar layout and
similar contents - some of the
exhibits being copies of key
discoveries from other areas - but
often there is little or no
explanation in English. In looking at
the art displayed in Chinese museums
it should be remembered that while for
more than two thousand years an empire
with a splendid court produced an
incredible wealth of art objects, from
the mid-nineteenth century onwards,
many of these were acquired - more or
less legitimately - or looted, by
Westerners. Later, too, some of the
great imperial collections were
removed by the Nationalists to Taiwan,
where they are now in the National
Palace Museum.
Pottery, bronzes and sculpture
The earliest Chinese objects date back
to the Neolithic farmers of the
Yangshao culture - well-made pottery
vessels painted in red, black, brown
and white with geometrical designs.
You'll notice that the decoration is
usually from...
read
more >>
Painting and calligraphy
While China's famous ceramics were
produced by nameless craftsmen, with
painting and calligraphy we enter the
realm of the amateur whose name has
survived and who was often scholar,
official, poet or all three. It has
been said that the four...
read
more >>
Jade and lacquerware
Jade and lacquerware have been
constantly in use in China since
earliest times. In Chinese eyes, jade
, in white and shades of green or
brown, is the most precious of stones.
It was used to make the earliest
ritual objects, such as the flat...
read
more >>
