Chinese Treasures

To deepen the understanding of cultural and social background of the Chinese Treasures of Imperial China.
The Palace Museum’s Essential Collection
Selected 229 sets of Chinese Treasures from different dynasties

The Palace Museum, the Forbidden City, has a comprehensive collection of the world’s largest treasury of ancient Chinese art. The Museum is an abundant resource for anyone who is interested in Chinese painting, ceramic ware, jade ware, calligraphy, furniture, and other valuable treasures.

This title offers descriptions of a selected collection of 229 sets of Chinese treasures from different dynasties, mainly from Yuan, Ming, and Qing, collected by the Palace Museum. These treasures are made of different materials by various means of techniques. The detailed descriptions of designs and decorations may facilitate readers to better understand and appreciate the motif and beauty of these treasures on top of their historical value.

中國故宮藏品圖解之絕對珍藏本，讓你一本看通中國珍寶
專家解說中國故宮中國珍寶，展現各時期的獨特風格

本書特色：
★ 精選故宮最具代表性的229件中國珍寶。
★ 含實物放大圖、圖解。
★ 含故宮專家撰寫的導言。

SHAN JIXIANG was born in Beijing in 1954. He received his doctorate degree in Urban Planning and Design from the School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, and studied in Japan from 1980 to 1984. After his return to China, Dr. Shan held several posts such as deputy director of Beijing Municipal Administration of City Planning, director of Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage, director of Beijing Municipal Commission of Urban Planning, and director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. Since January of 2002, Dr. Shan has taken up positions of director of the Palace Museum, researcher of the Palace Museum, director of China Cultural Relics Academy, and vice chairman of China Building Decoration Association.

CHEN LIHUA was born in Dalian, Liaoning Province in 1953. After graduating from the Department of History at Liaoning University, Ms. Chen has served successively in Lushun Museum and the Palace Museum. Her expertise includes the study and authentication of lacquer ware and enamel ware. She served as deputy director of the Palace Museum. Now shw is taking up positions of research fellow of the Palace Museum, member of the Academic Committee of the Palace Museum, director of Institute for the Study of Ming and Qing Craftsmanship of the Palace Museum Research Institute, and the chairperson of the Professional Committee of Lacquer Ware and Enamel Ware, China Cultural Relics Academy.

LIU YUE was born in Beijing in 1975. He graduated and received his bachelor’s degree from the Central Academy of Arts and Design (known as the Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University now). Since 1998, Mr. Liu has served in the Palace Museum and he is now the associate researcher there. His research interests cover the history of crafts in the Ming and Qing dynasties and related areas, with a focus on the crafts of bamboo and wood carving, ivory and horn carving, etc.

Forewords

Introducing the Palace Museum to the World……iv

Looking at History through Art……v

 

An Introductory Essay

Treasures of Dynastic China in the Collection of the Palace Museum……1

 

Gold and Silver Ware, Jewellery, Jade, Precious Stones, and Others……17

Gold and Silver Ware

Jewellery, Jade, and Precious Stone Ware

Organic Precious Stones

(Rhinoceros Horns, Ivory, Coral, and Cloudy Amber)

Ancient lnkstones

 

Lacquer, Wood, and Other Carvings……145

Qin Zithers

Lacquer Ware

Bamboo and Wood Carvings

Ancient lnksticks

 

Enamel Ware with Metallic Bodies……267

 

Dynastic Chronology of Chinese History……308