Chinese ceramics
Asian pottery tradition
Chinese ceramics refers to pottery and porcelain produced in China, spanning thousands of years and influencing ceramic traditions worldwide.
China pioneered porcelain production centuries before European manufacturers discovered the technique.
Major types include celadon, blue-and-white ware, and famille rose.
The museum's collection of Chinese ceramics dates to the Tang dynasty.
Whiteite mineral for pottery
- translucentPermitting diffused light passage
- hard-pasteTrue fired ceramic
- soft-pasteLow-fired imitation porcelain
- vitreousGlass-like in appearance
cobalt blue · blue-and-white · celadon · eggshell · firing · bisque · shrinkage · whiteness
Grayish-green ceramic finish
- crackleSharp snapping sounds
- copper redMetallic orange-brown shade
- iron oxideFe plus oxygen
- flambéFood set alight
oil spot · robin's egg · turquoise · monochrome · transparent · opaque · matte · glossy
Ornamental container for flowers
- bowlConcave food container
- jarWide-mouthed storage vessel
- dishFood container or recipe
- plateFlat dish for food
cup · teapot · ewer · censer · pillow · figurine · garden seat · baluster
Propelling by arm motion
- coilingLooping around repeatedly
- handbuildingShaping clay manually
- wedgingForcing into tight space
- trimmingCutting away excess
turning · sculpting · incising · carving · piercing · molding · underglaze · overglaze
Chinese imperial era, 1368–1644
- YuanKhan-founded Chinese dynasty
- TangMedieval Chinese empire
- HanChina's largest ethnicity
- ZhouAncient Chinese dynasty
Shang · Warring States · Three Kingdoms · Neolithic · Republic · imperial · periodization
Recurring thematic elements
- dragonsMythical fire-breathing reptiles
- phoenixesSelf-resurrecting mythical birds
- lotusSacred aquatic flower
- peoniesBushy ornamental with ruffled blooms
chrysanthemums · landscapes · scholars · figures · calligraphy · poetry · medallions · scrollwork
Old valued collectible
- provenanceRecord of ownership
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
- museumPublic exhibit space
- auctionCompetitive public sale
Sotheby's · Christie's · restoration · conservation · connoisseurship · forgery · attribution · rarity
Sixth month, truncated
- wood-firedFueled by timber
- coal-firedPowered by burning anthracite
- saggarProtective kiln enclosure
kaolin
Whiteite mineral for pottery
- translucentPermitting diffused light passage
- hard-pasteTrue fired ceramic
- soft-pasteLow-fired imitation porcelain
vitreous · cobalt blue · blue-and-white · celadon · eggshell · firing · bisque · shrinkage · whiteness · delicate
celadon
Grayish-green ceramic finish
- crackleSharp snapping sounds
- copper redMetallic orange-brown shade
- iron oxideFe plus oxygen
flambé · oil spot · robin's egg · turquoise · monochrome · transparent · opaque · matte · glossy · pooling
vase
Ornamental container for flowers
plate · cup · teapot · ewer · censer · pillow · figurine · garden seat · baluster · water dropper
throwing
Propelling by arm motion
- coilingLooping around repeatedly
- handbuildingShaping clay manually
- wedgingForcing into tight space
trimming · turning · sculpting · incising · carving · piercing · molding · underglaze · overglaze · brushwork
Ming
Chinese imperial era, 1368–1644
Zhou · Shang · Warring States · Three Kingdoms · Neolithic · Republic · imperial · periodization
motifs
Recurring thematic elements
- dragonsMythical fire-breathing reptiles
- phoenixesSelf-resurrecting mythical birds
- lotusSacred aquatic flower
peonies · chrysanthemums · landscapes · scholars · figures · calligraphy · poetry · medallions · scrollwork · hand-painted
antique
Old valued collectible
- provenanceRecord of ownership
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
- museumPublic exhibit space
auction · Sotheby's · Christie's · restoration · conservation · connoisseurship · forgery · attribution · rarity · condition
Jun
Sixth month, truncated
- wood-firedFueled by timber
- coal-firedPowered by burning anthracite
- saggarProtective kiln enclosure
- Asian artink painting, Chinese art, Japanese art, brush painting, scroll painting
- Chinese treasuresbronzes, cultural relics, jade carvings, lacquerware, oracle bones
- ceramicspottery, porcelain, cup, bowl, plate
- potterypot, pottery, clay pottery, throwing, terracotta
- contemporary artconceptual art, contemporary art, digital art, contemporary artists, modern art
- museum artifactspaintings, Rosetta Stone, Elgin Marbles, stone carvings, terracotta