The British Museum Book of Chinese Art (Paperback)

~ Anne Farrer (Author), Jane Portal (Author), Shelagh Vainker (Author), Carol Michaelson (Author), Jessica Rawson (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is easily the best introductory overview of Chinese art to appear in years. A readable and attractive volume, it integrates Chinese history, culture, art, and relations with other countries into chapters covering types of objects (e.g., jades and bronzes for ritual, luxuries for trade, ceramics for use). Edited by renowned scholar Rawson of the British Museum, this work provides a wealth of information at a level suitable for students and interested readers. The illustrations are well chosen from the British Museum and other collections, and appendixes supply additional details on vessel shapes, dynastic history, archaeological sites, and more. Highly recommended for both general and specialized collections.
- Kathryn W. Finkelstein, M.Ln., Cincinnati
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"'The most lucid and authoritative introduction to Chinese culture available in English' National Art Book prize winner 'Sumptuous but affordable' New Statesman and Society" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 395 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500279039
• ISBN-13: 978-0500279038
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #197,866 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars more than a survey of one collection, July 4, 2000

By A Customer

The British Museum has a wonderful collection of Chinese art, from the Neolithic to the early years of the 20th century, and this book uses the collection as an introduction to Chinese culture, and to the varied forms of art--bronzes, jades, pottery and porcelains, calligraphy and painting, sculpture, cloisonne, and lacquer work--that the evolving culture has produced for the past 5000 to 6000 years. The book opens with a very good but brief introduction to Chinese history and then surveys the various art forms. The color and black-and-white illustrations are glorious, and good choices have been made about the pieces to show in color (though one always wishes for more, especially in my case of Qing ceramics). The British Museum collection is featured, obviously, but the individual pieces are occasions for very clear and interesting discussions of the type of work each represents; the book in this respect is very much more than a catalog of one collection. I especially appreciate this more general information about various types of Shang bronzes or Qing ceramics, for example, and the detailed information about materials, techniques, and production. Anyone at all interested in Chinese art and culture will value this book, and it's also a book that will excite people who haven't previously been interested. Excellent and beautiful.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The British Museum Book of Chinese Art, March 1, 2006

By	Carlo Alberto Morini (FERRARA, ITALY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

THIS BOOK IS INTERESTING BUT NEED TO BE UPTODATED WITH MORE COMMENTS AND MORE RECENT PICTURES AS LAST ESCAVATION IN CHINA HA DETERMINED A KIND OF NEW IDENTIFICATION OF PORCELAIN AND STUDY.