Chinese Antique Ceramics & Porcelain Photos

Chinese earthenware dates from Neolithic peoples about 5,000 years ago. The Chinese invention of porcelain was an evolution of techniques over centuries starting around the Han Dynasty (roughly 1st C) & culminating in the products of the Ming Dynasty (1400).

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Chinese Neolithic earthenware tripod pitcher at Yale University Art Gallery. New Haven, CT.Neolithic earthenware tripod vessel with single handle from Shaanxi, China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Neolithic Chinese pottery ritual urn with two handles by Yangshao culture at Dallas Museum of Art. Dallas, TX.Ceramic male & warrior figures from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.
Chinese Neolithic earthenware tripod pitcher (Gui) (c3rd millennium BCE) at Yale University Art Gallery. New Haven, CT.Neolithic earthenware tripod vessel with single handle (c2800-2000 BCE) from Shaanxi, China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Neolithic Chinese pottery ritual urn with two handles (3000-2000 BCE) by Yangshao culture at Dallas Museum of Art. Dallas, TX.Ceramic male & warrior figures (c206 BCE-9 CE) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.
Chinese earthenware funerary pillars from Han dynasty at Honolulu Academy of Arts. Honolulu, HI.Chinese terra cotta pillar from funeral chamber from Henan at Cernuschi Museum. Paris, France.Chinese Han Western Dynasty terra cotta goose-shaped jug at Cernuschi Museum. Paris, France.Chinese earthenware Chimera tomb figure at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.
Chinese earthenware funerary pillars from Han dynasty (260 BCE-220 CE) at Honolulu Academy of Arts. Honolulu, HI.Chinese terra cotta pillar from funeral chamber (1stC BCE) from Henan at Cernuschi Museum. Paris, France.Chinese Han Western Dynasty terra cotta goose-shaped jug (206 BCE - 9 CE) at Cernuschi Museum. Paris, France.Chinese earthenware Chimera tomb figure (206 BCE-9 AD Western Han dynasty) at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.
Chinese terra cotta vase for alcohol decorated with tigers at Guimet Museum. Paris, France.Glazed earthenware dog from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Chinese terra cotta dog from Sichuan at Guimet Museum. Paris, France.Chinese terra cotta mask at Guimet Museum. Paris, France.
Chinese terra cotta vase for alcohol decorated with tigers (206 BCE - 220 CE - Han dynasty) at Guimet Museum. Paris, France.Glazed earthenware dog (25-220) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Chinese terra cotta dog (1st-3rdC CE - Han dynasty) from Sichuan at Guimet Museum. Paris, France.Chinese terra cotta mask (1st-3rdC CE - Han dynasty) at Guimet Museum. Paris, France.
Lion Yue ware from China in Freer Gallery. Washington, DC.Painted earthenware spirit guardian from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Northern Qi dynasty earthenware Ox model for tomb from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Chinese glazed earthenware oil lamp at Carnegie Museum of Art. Pittsburgh, PA.
Lion Yue ware from Western Jin dynasty of China (265-317) in Freer Gallery. Washington, DC.Painted earthenware spirit guardian (c500-535) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Northern Qi dynasty earthenware Ox model for tomb (550-77) from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Chinese glazed earthenware oil lamp (618-907 - Tang Dynasty) at Carnegie Museum of Art. Pittsburgh, PA.
Glazed earthenware tomb guardians from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Glazed earthenware tripod at Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto, ON.Glazed earthenware ewar at Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto, ON.China: Tang dynasty glazed earthenware winged guardian monster in Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.
Glazed earthenware tomb guardians (618-906) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Glazed earthenware tripod (675-750 - Tang dynasty) at Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto, ON.Glazed earthenware ewar (675-750 - Tang dynasty) at Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto, ON.China: Tang dynasty glazed earthenware winged guardian monster (690-750) in Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.
Chinese terra cotta polo players from northern China at Guimet Museum. Paris, France.Stoneware ewer with Phoenix Head from China at Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn, NY.Chinese porcelain bird headed ewer from Five dynasties period at Honolulu Academy of Arts. Honolulu, HI.Liao dynasty earthenware Sancai ware ewer in shape of fish from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.
Chinese terra cotta polo players (8thC CE - Tang dynasty) from northern China at Guimet Museum. Paris, France.Stoneware ewer with Phoenix Head (10th C / Tang or Song dynasty) from China at Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn, NY.Chinese porcelain bird headed ewer from Five dynasties period (907-960) at Honolulu Academy of Arts. Honolulu, HI.Liao dynasty earthenware Sancai ware ewer in shape of fish (907-1125) from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.
Liao dynasty earthenware green-glazed flask from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Liao dynasty earthenware cockscomb flasks from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Glazed Chinese porcelain at Nelson-Atkins Museum. Kansas City, MO.Chinese ceramics at Yale University Art Gallery. New Haven, CT.
Liao dynasty earthenware green-glazed flask (907-1125) from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Liao dynasty earthenware cockscomb flasks (907-1125) from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Glazed Chinese porcelain (c960-1279) at Nelson-Atkins Museum. Kansas City, MO.Chinese ceramics (10th-13thC) at Yale University Art Gallery. New Haven, CT.
Chinese Liao Dynasty pottery pilgrim bottles at Museum of Fine Arts. Boston, MA.Chinese porcelain plate from Jiangxi at Cernuschi Museum. Paris, France.Southern Song dynasty earthenware ewer, cover & warming bowl from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Song / Yuan dynasty porcelain Qingbai ware urns with dragons from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.
Chinese Liao Dynasty pottery pilgrim bottles (11thC) at Museum of Fine Arts. Boston, MA.Chinese porcelain plate (1127-1279) from Jiangxi at Cernuschi Museum. Paris, France.Southern Song dynasty earthenware ewer, cover & warming bowl (1127-1279) from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Song / Yuan dynasty porcelain Qingbai ware urns with dragons (13th-14thC) from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.
Dragon detail on Song / Yuan dynasty porcelain Qingbai ware urn from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Dragon detail on Song / Yuan dynasty porcelain Qingbai ware urn from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Yuan dynasty Chinese green-glazed stoneware funerary urns at Dallas Museum of Art. Dallas, TX.Yuan dynasty stoneware Cizhou ware jar from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.
Dragon detail on Song / Yuan dynasty porcelain Qingbai ware urn (13th-14thC) from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Dragon detail on Song / Yuan dynasty porcelain Qingbai ware urn (13th-14thC) from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Yuan dynasty Chinese green-glazed stoneware funerary urns (1271-1368) at Dallas Museum of Art. Dallas, TX.Yuan dynasty stoneware Cizhou ware jar (1279-1368) from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.
Ceramic wine jar from China at Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn, NY.Chinese ceramic stoneware with green glaze trumpet-mouthed vase at Yale University Art Gallery. New Haven, CT.Porcelain covered jar painted with carp & lotus pond from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Chinese Ming Dynasty latticework earthenware Fahua wine jar at Rough Point. Newport, RI.
Ceramic wine jar (14th C / Yuan or Ming dynasty) from China at Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn, NY.Chinese ceramic stoneware with green glaze trumpet-mouthed vase (early14th C, Yuan dynasty) at Yale University Art Gallery. New Haven, CT.Porcelain covered jar painted with carp & lotus pond (1368-1644) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Chinese Ming Dynasty latticework earthenware Fahua wine jar (1368-1644) at Rough Point. Newport, RI.
Rouge de Fer plate from Ming dynasty at Hoover Museum. West Branch, IA.Chinese porcelain canteen at Smithsonian Freer Gallery of Art. Washington, DC.Chinese Ming porcelain collection at Harvard Art Museums. Cambridge, MA.Ming dynasty vase with enamel decoration in Chinese collection of Seattle Art Museum. Seattle, WA.
Rouge de Fer plate from Ming dynasty (1426-45) at Hoover Museum. West Branch, IA.Chinese porcelain canteen (15thC) at Smithsonian Freer Gallery of Art. Washington, DC.Chinese Ming porcelain collection (15th-18thC) at Harvard Art Museums. Cambridge, MA.Ming dynasty vase with enamel decoration (15thC) in Chinese collection of Seattle Art Museum. Seattle, WA.
Chinese Ming porcelain vase at St. Louis Art Museum. St Louis, MO.Porcelain ewer with dragons from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Chinese porcelain ewer based in Islamic design for hand-washing at Gardiner Museum. Toronto, ON.Chinese Ming dynasty porcelain bowl at Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, NY.
Chinese Ming porcelain vase (late 15thC) at St. Louis Art Museum. St Louis, MO.Porcelain ewer with dragons (1500-1700) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Chinese porcelain ewer (early 16thC - Ming dynasty) based in Islamic design for hand-washing at Gardiner Museum. Toronto, ON.Chinese Ming dynasty porcelain bowl (1506-21) at Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, NY.
Chinese Ming dynasty porcelain plate with blue dragon at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Ming dynasty porcelain incense burner from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Glazed earthenware statue of Hell'tortuer from Henan Province at Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto, ON.Chinese Ming dynasty porcelain elephant-shaped drinking vessel at Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, NY.
Chinese Ming dynasty porcelain plate with blue dragon (1522-66) at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Ming dynasty porcelain incense burner (1522-1566) from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Glazed earthenware statue of Hell'tortuer (16thC - Ming dynasty) from Henan Province at Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto, ON.Chinese Ming dynasty porcelain elephant-shaped drinking vessel (late 16thC) at Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, NY.
China: Ming dynasty dish with rabbit in Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Glazed earthenware decorated roof ridge tile in form of fish at Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto, ON.Glazed Chinese porcelain at Nelson-Atkins Museum. Kansas City, MO.Porcelain vase painted with carp from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.
China: Ming dynasty dish with rabbit (1621-7) in Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Glazed earthenware decorated roof ridge tile in form of fish (17th-18thC - Ming & Qing dynasty) at Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto, ON.Glazed Chinese porcelain (c1644-1911) at Nelson-Atkins Museum. Kansas City, MO.Porcelain vase painted with carp (1662-1722) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.
Porcelain mallet vase painted with women from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Porcelain bowl painted with horses from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Porcelain bowl from China at Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn, NY.Chinese Porcelain Charger from K'ang Hsi period at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion. Woodstock, VT.
Porcelain mallet vase painted with women (1662-1722) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Porcelain bowl painted with horses (1662-1722) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Porcelain bowl (1662-1722 / Qing dynasty) from China at Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn, NY.Chinese Porcelain Charger from K'ang Hsi period (c1662-1722) at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion. Woodstock, VT.
Chinese Qing dynasty porcelain plate at Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, NY.Porcelain covered bowl painted with dragons from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Chinese Qing dynasty porcelain plate painted with lotus flowers at Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, NY.Chinese porcelain brush pot at Yale University Art Gallery. New Haven, CT.
Chinese Qing dynasty porcelain plate (late 17thC- 1st half 18thC) at Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, NY.Porcelain covered bowl painted with dragons (1723-35) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Chinese Qing dynasty porcelain plate painted with lotus flowers (late 17thC- early 18thC) at Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, NY.Chinese porcelain brush pot (1723-35, Qing dynasty) at Yale University Art Gallery. New Haven, CT.
Porcelain plate painted with peaches & bats from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Porcelain vase painted with peaches from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Canton enamel on brass hot water kettle & burner at Huntington Museum of Art. Huntington, WV.Chinese pair of porcelain vases with poem at Huntington Museum of Art. Huntington, WV.
Porcelain plate painted with peaches & bats (1736-95) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Porcelain vase painted with peaches (1736-95) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Canton enamel on brass hot water kettle & burner (Qianlong Period, 1736-1795) at Huntington Museum of Art. Huntington, WV.Chinese pair of porcelain vases with poem (Qing Dynasty, 1644-1911) at Huntington Museum of Art. Huntington, WV.
Porcelain vessel in shape of ancient bronze vessel from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Chinese porcelain globular jar at Yale University Art Gallery. New Haven, CT.Phoenix on a rock Chinese porcelain at Cognacq-Jay Museum. Paris, France.Chinese porcelain rabbits at Nelson-Atkins Museum. Kansas City, MO.
Porcelain vessel in shape of ancient bronze vessel (1736-95) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Chinese porcelain globular jar (1736-95, Qing dynasty) at Yale University Art Gallery. New Haven, CT.Phoenix on a rock Chinese porcelain (1736-95 Qing dynasty) at Cognacq-Jay Museum. Paris, France.Chinese porcelain rabbits (c1736-95) at Nelson-Atkins Museum. Kansas City, MO.
Qing dynasty stoneware ox-blood bottle vase from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Qing dynasty porcelain double-gourd vase from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Qing dynasty porcelain bowl by Qianlong from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Porcelain vase with parrot from Qing Dynasty of China at New Orleans Museum of Art. New Orleans, LA.
Qing dynasty stoneware ox-blood bottle vase (1736-95) from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Qing dynasty porcelain double-gourd vase (1736-95) from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Qing dynasty porcelain bowl (1736-95) by Qianlong from China at San Antonio Museum of Art. San Antonio, TX.Porcelain vase with parrot (c1745) from Qing Dynasty of China at New Orleans Museum of Art. New Orleans, LA.
Qing dynasty Chinese export porcelain ewer & cup painted with Scottish family arms at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Qing dynasty Chinese vases in Music Room at Rough Point. Newport, RI.Qing dynasty Chinese vase detail in Music Room at Rough Point. Newport, RI.Qing dynasty porcelain serving platter at New Brunswick Museum. Saint John, NB.
Qing dynasty Chinese export porcelain ewer & cup painted with Scottish family arms (1750-1800) at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Qing dynasty Chinese vases in Music Room at Rough Point. Newport, RI.Qing dynasty Chinese vase detail in Music Room at Rough Point. Newport, RI.Qing dynasty porcelain serving platter (early 18thC) at New Brunswick Museum. Saint John, NB.
Bow long platter with Chinese themes at Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Fredericton, NB.Chinese porcelain bowl at St. Louis Art Museum. St Louis, MO.Yellow glass vase as lotus pond from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Chinese porcelain Oxblood vase at Huntington Museum of Art. Huntington, WV.
Bow long platter with Chinese themes (c1760) at Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Fredericton, NB.Chinese porcelain bowl (18thC) at St. Louis Art Museum. St Louis, MO.Yellow glass vase as lotus pond (c1800-1900) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Chinese porcelain Oxblood vase (19thC) at Huntington Museum of Art. Huntington, WV.
Porcelain teapot with dragon & phoenix from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Chinese export porcelain jar painted with American shop at Columbia River Maritime Museum. Astoria, OR.Chinese gallery with Eastern Han Dynasty sculpted Chimera & ceramic tile gateway at Nelson-Atkins Museum. Kansas City, MO.Porcelain plate with magpies on tree branch from China at Utah Museum of Fine Art. Salt Lake City, UT.
Porcelain teapot with dragon & phoenix (1823-50) from China at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Chinese export porcelain jar painted with American shop (c1850) at Columbia River Maritime Museum. Astoria, OR.Chinese gallery with Eastern Han Dynasty sculpted Chimera (25-220) & ceramic tile gateway (c1854) at Nelson-Atkins Museum. Kansas City, MO.Porcelain plate with magpies on tree branch (20thC) from China at Utah Museum of Fine Art. Salt Lake City, UT.
Array of Chinese pottery, porcelain & other vessels. San Francisco, CA.Display of Chinese ceramics at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Three Chinese teapots at Pardee Home Museum. Oakland, CA.Porcelain tea pots at New Brunswick Museum. Saint John, NB.
Array of Chinese pottery, porcelain & other vessels. San Francisco, CA.Display of Chinese ceramics at Asian Art Museum. San Francisco, CA.Three Chinese teapots at Pardee Home Museum. Oakland, CA.Porcelain tea pots (2 Chinese Qing dynasty & Japanese c1890) at New Brunswick Museum. Saint John, NB.
Porcelain tea pots at New Brunswick Museum. Saint John, NB.Parisian wall clock & Chinese dragon vase at Nissim de Camondo Museum. Paris, France.Blue & white Ch'ing dynasty porcelain which the Hoovers started collecting while in China & continued for life at Hoover Museum. West Branch, IA.Antique blue Chinese porcelain collection of Hoovers. West Branch, IA.
Porcelain tea pots (Chinese Qing dynasty) at New Brunswick Museum. Saint John, NB.Parisian wall clock & Chinese dragon vase at Nissim de Camondo Museum. Paris, France.Blue & white Ch'ing dynasty porcelain which the Hoovers started collecting while in China & continued for life at Hoover Museum. West Branch, IA.Antique blue Chinese porcelain collection of Hoovers. West Branch, IA.
Antique blue Chinese porcelain collection of Hoovers. West Branch, IA.Antique blue Chinese porcelain collection of Hoovers. West Branch, IA.Porcelain Chinese covered platter at Chateau-sur-Mer. Newport, RI.Chinese porcelain covered jar & stand at Hill of Tarvit Mansion. Cupar, Scotland.
Antique blue Chinese porcelain collection of Hoovers. West Branch, IA.Antique blue Chinese porcelain collection of Hoovers. West Branch, IA.Porcelain Chinese covered platter at Chateau-sur-Mer. Newport, RI.Chinese porcelain covered jar & stand at Hill of Tarvit Mansion. Cupar, Scotland.
Chinese jar painted with phoenix at Chepstow. Newport, RI.Decorative Chinese urn with cover at Newhailes. Musselburgh, Scotland.Chinese porcelain in front of painted folding screen in Sun Room at Chepstow. Newport, RI.Chinese ceramic of guardians holding bell at Pollok House. Glasgow, Scotland.
Chinese jar painted with phoenix at Chepstow. Newport, RI.Decorative Chinese urn with cover at Newhailes. Musselburgh, Scotland.Chinese porcelain in front of painted folding screen in Sun Room at Chepstow. Newport, RI.Chinese ceramic of guardians holding bell at Pollok House. Glasgow, Scotland.
Chinese ceramic bowl at Pollok House. Glasgow, Scotland.Cabinet with Chinese porcelain collection at Hill of Tarvit Mansion. Cupar, Scotland.Souvenirs collected by Sir David Dalrymple, 2nd Baronet of Newhailes, during his naval service in Asia in Chinese sitting room at Newhailes. Musselburgh, Scotland.Porcelain souvenir collection in Chinese sitting room at Newhailes. Musselburgh, Scotland.
Chinese ceramic bowl at Pollok House. Glasgow, Scotland.Cabinet with Chinese porcelain collection at Hill of Tarvit Mansion. Cupar, Scotland.Souvenirs collected by Sir David Dalrymple, 2nd Baronet of Newhailes, during his naval service in Asia in Chinese sitting room at Newhailes. Musselburgh, Scotland.Porcelain souvenir collection in Chinese sitting room at Newhailes. Musselburgh, Scotland.
Chinese porcelain service at Chateau-sur-Mer. Newport, RI.


Chinese porcelain service at Chateau-sur-Mer. Newport, RI.


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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.

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