Chinese Ceramics : The New Standard Guide

by He Li, Kazuhiro Tsuruta (Photographer)

For centuries Chinese ceramics have been the objects most coveted in the West by collectors with an interest in the arts of Asia. The extraordinary innovations of Chinese potters court among the most outstanding accomplishments in the cultural heritage of the world since the Neolithic era. Systematic study of Chinese ceramics, begun in the eighteenth century with the French Jesuit Pere d'Entrecolles, has been greatly enlarged in the twentieth century, and since the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, extensive excavations at kiln sites have yielded invaluable new insights into the chronological development of ceramic forms, glaze types and decorative styles. This remarkable book cites all the latest scientific and archaeological evidence, examining provenance, technique, archaeological and historical context, and ancient traditions of Chinese connoisseurship and patronage to provide an integrated and highly detailed approach to the subject.
In over 700 color photographs specially taken for this book, a wide range of imperial and regional, decorative and practical, export and domestic, ceremonial and funerary wares are fully represented.

Genres: Art

352 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 1996

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have no doubt; this will become one of the go-to definitive books on Chinese ceramics for two reasons: the well-written explanations of the ceramics of each historical period that begin with the perfect brief descriptions of the dynasties themselves (a balance many scholar authors fail to achieve); and secondly, the beautiful photographs of examples from the collection of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco that perfectly illustrate the points made (and which many readers will find familiar as many are well-known examples).

This is best read after one has spent some time studying Chinese ceramics, for it also brings one up to date on centuries of speculation and the past few decades of (archaeological, textual and site) research. Everyone studying Chinese ceramics reads a wide variety of reference books, several of which are now quite dated but nevertheless were written by experts with much to offer. But as author He Li points out, recent years have resolved many (but not all) of the questions scholars have had as to the location of kilns, or the production of specific types of ceramics at specific sites. For example, it wasn't until 1987 that the ru kilns were identified at Baofeng (Henan Province), resolving many questions that had lingered for centuries over their production site. We are still uncertain where the Song Dynasty guan kilns were located, not to mention the many open questions concerning ge ware (none of which to date have been found in Song tombs, although they are often identified as being one of the great Song ceramics).

This then, is an excellent book for the more advanced reader or connoisseur of Chinese ceramics. The synopses are well-written, up to date, and include much useful information that is often omitted from more general texts, whether it is identifying the dynasty in which kilns turned from using wood to coal, or stopped using iron oxide as the pigment for red glazes and switched over to copper oxide. If this is gibberish to you, better start with a basic introductory text instead, but this is a reference book that is sure to become a key reference book for many for years to come.

[Julian Dones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect book to oversee Chinese ceramics .

[Mairi Ross Bauchop · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully produced book with clear photos and useful information, but (again) concentrating on pre-18th century museum pieces, with only a few pages addressing work from later periods.