This handsome book is at once a general survey of Chinese ceramics from the early Neolithic period to the present day and an essential reference volume for art historians and connoisseurs. Originally published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1975 as an introduction to its vast collection of Chinese ceramics, the book was highly praised by experts in the field. Over the last decade, however, thanks to accelerated archaeological activity in The People's Republic of China and important archaeological discoveries made elsewhere, substantial changes have been made in Chinese ceramic chronology and attributions. At the same time, analytic studies of Chinese ceramic technology have altered many basic concepts. This edition, written in the light of such enhanced knowledge, presents a far more detailed and comprehensive picture than could have been possible only a few years ago. A wealth of new information has been reported and integrated into the book, which begins over one thousand years earlier than the first edition. Almost half of the 335 objects illustrated are new to this edition; a 32-page section of color plates adds immeasurably to the usefulness of the book. This edition uses the Pinyin system of Chinese romanization; there is an appendix giving Pinyin/Wade-Giles equivalents, with the Chinese characters, as well as a chronology, maps, a glossary, selected readings, and an index. Invaluable for scholars will be the new technical information, references to relevant Chinese archaeological journals, and an appendix giving selective archaeological and other documentary comparisons to objects in the Museum's collection that are illustrated in the book.
Foreword
Preface to the Second Edition
Maps
Chronology
Color Plates
Following
1. The Early Periods
2. The Xia and Shang Dynasties
3. The Zhou Dynasty
4. The Qin and Han Dynasties
5. The Six Dynasties
6. The Sui Dynasty
7. The Tang Dynasty
8. The Five Dynasties
9. The Northern Song, Jin, and Southern Song Dynasties
10. The Yuan Dynasty
11. The Ming Dynasty
12. The Qing Dynasty
13. The Twentieth Century, Design Continuations, and Copies
Appendix I. Selected Archaeological and Other Documentary Comparisons
Appendix II. Pinyin Romanizations of Chinese Words and Their Wade-Giles Equivalents
Glossary
Selected Readings
Index
Suzanne G. Valenstein is Research Curator, Department of Asian Art, in the Metropolitan Museum. Her book provides both visitors to the Museum galleries and readers at home with a comprehensive and current introduction to Chinese ceramic wares through the ages.
