Chinese | AskAsia.org

New Year Traditions Throughout Asia
An exploratory essay on timekeeping on new year traditions throughout Asia.

Understanding the Geography of China An Assemblage of Pieces
This background essay introduces the diversity of China's natural and man-made features, as well as the relative population of its various areas....more

Writing and Technology in China
This essay examines the history of communications technology in China, from early writing to the invention of paper and the printing press, to how...more

Ancestral Rites and Divination in China Religion and World View in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, ca. 1600–256 BCE
This essay looks at Chinese traditions of ancestral rites and divination. This essay is part of a series that examines Chinese belief systems, that...more

Confucius
A short introduction to Confucius and Confucianism. This is part of a series that examines Chinese belief systems: how people think and behave,...more

Laozi The Old Master (Sixth or Third Century BCE)
A short introduction to Laozi and Daoism. This is part of a series that examines Chinese belief systems: how people think and behave, philosophically...more

Buddhism in China Fojiao: the Teaching of Buddha, the Enlightened One
A short introduction to Buddhism in China. This is part of a series that examines Chinese belief systems: how people think and behave,...more

Chinese Belief Systems From Past to Present and Present to Past
A short history of Chinese "religions." (The word "religion" did not enter the Chinese lexicon until the 19th century.) This essay examines Chinese...more

Ethnic Minorities in China The Mongols, Tibetans, Manchus, and Naxi
An essay on some of China's 56 ethnic minority groups. This essay provides a backdrop for understanding that China, like many places in the world,...more

Writing as a Way to Cultivate the Self Literary Arts in China
In China, calligraphic writing expressed not only the meaning of the words but the inner feelings and personality of the writer, whose writing became...more

Xuanzang The Monk who Brought Buddhism East
The life and adventures of a Chinese monk who made a 17-year journey to bring Buddhist teachings from India to China. Xuanzang subsequently became a...more

The Mongol Dynasty When Kublai Khan Ruled China
Kublai Khan, grandson of Ghengis Khan, ruled as an intellect--and as a warrior--to create one of the greatest empires in human history.

Food in Chinese Culture Anthropological and Historical Perspectives
An anthopological and historical look at food in China: indigenous foods, how they are prepared and the role of food in Chinese culture....more

Dao / Taoism The Way
Dao, or Taoism, as it is often known in the West, is a belief system with folk religion roots in China popularized by the philosopher Laozi in the...more

India-Pakistan Relations A Fifty-Year History
Read about the turbulent fifty years between independence from the British Empire to present time, when the two great nations have nuclear arsenals...more

Korean History and Political Geography
Koreans often use the proverb “when whales fight, the shrimp’s back is broken” to describe their country’s victimization at the hands of larger, more...more

Silk Roads: An Introduction to Trade
International trade is driven by economic gain and the pursuit of "the next new thing." This exploratory essay looks at one of the greatest trade...more

Geographical Setting of the Silk Roads A Silk Road Encounters Reading
The term Silk Road denotes a network of trails and trading posts, oases and emporia connecting East Asia to the Mediterranean. Along the way, branch...more

Historical Background of the Silk Roads A Silk Road Encounters Reading
The history of human settlement, migration, and cultural interaction in Eurasia is a history of displacement of hunter-gatherers by farmers and...more

Belief Systems Along the Silk Roads A Silk Roads Encounter Essay
Religious beliefs of the peoples of the Silk Road changed radically over time and was largely due to the effects of travel and trade on the Silk Road...more

Excerpts from Religious Texts A Silk Road Encounters Essay
This reading features thematic comparisons among texts of the great world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confuciansm, Christianity, Daoism, Islam,...more

The Arts of the Silk Roads A Silk Road Encounters Essay
The blending and dissemination of art is closely related to the larger context of the travel of people, their beliefs, ideas, and technology. This...more

Travel of Ideas and Techniques A Silk Road Encounters Essay
Good ideas and innovation travel easily--and far. Historically, these ideas spread along trade routes. This essay looks at the great Eurasian Silk...more

A Silk Roads Glossary A Silk Road Encounters Resource
A glossary of common terms used when describing life along the Silk Roads....more

Music of the Silk Roads A Silk Road Encounters Essay
Like religion, music readily spreads beyond its land of origin because people bring their music with them when they travel, just as they bring with...more

Lesson Plans

The Golden Rule of Reciprocity A Silk Road Encounters Project
Students learn about Golden Rule of Reciprocity by comparing quotes from the major world religions. Students then create their own rendition of the...more

Treasures of the Silk Roads A Silk Road Encounters Project
Using images of art objects from the Silk Roads, students will generate word maps that act as creative writing prompts. The archaeological finds from...more

Trading in the Silk Roads Cities A Silk Road Encounters Activity
Students will explore elements of trade along the Silk Roads by examining the products of various locations along the route—production, influences of...more

Musical Innovation Along the Silk Roads: Creating a Sheng A Silk Roads Encounters Activity
There are many kinds of reed instruments. A reed instrument makes its distinctive sound when the air inside the instrument is made to vibrate by the...more

Trade Along the Silk Roads A Silk Road Encounters Resource
Students contribute to a class project: an illustrated atlas of Silk Road trade goods....more

Mapping Perceptions of China
Through an exercise of mapping one's own neighborhood, students describe what is and is not included on a map. They look at historical and...more

Building an Empire Mapping China
Students understand China and its geography by creating travel brochures for China's nine distinct regions. Groups then combine their brochures into...more

Cutting Up with Paper Paper, a Chinese Invention
A hand-eye coordination activity. Teachers describe how paper was invented in China and the many uses people found for it over the years. Younger...more

Chinatowns And Chinese Communities in America
The lesson plan and field trip helps students understand the historical significance of Chinatowns in holding together the social and cultural...more

How Shall We Rule China? Role Play
This role-playing activity focuses on a powerful time in history: when the Mongol armies conquered China. Students consider important questions about...more

Concept of Justice in Chinese Society The Case of Murder in Hai Tian
Students examine a real-life murder mystery in 1920's China. This intriguing case compells students to think about justice in Chinese--and...more

Trade in the Indian Ocean Should China End Zheng He's Treasure Voyages?
Learn about an important turning point in world history. At a time when China had strong diplomatic and economic ties to ports throughout East and...more

Chinese Inventions A Selected History of Science and Invention in China
Students try to match important inventions and scientific discoveries with their countries of origin. This short lesson also asks students to...more

Woodblock Printing Early Printing Traditions in China
Learn about the important role of woodblock printing in Chinese history. Students will create woodblock prints to gain first-hand understanding of...more

China's Great Sage
Students read, analyze, and paraphrase translations from The Analects as a means of understanding key elements of Confucianism....more

SARS: A Global Epidemic
This lesson plan examines the speed and spread of of disease in a global society...

Multimedia

This series, the Landscapes of China, examines the physical, demographic, political, economic, and environmental landscapes of modern China. NOTE: The video and podcast files will open in a Real Player window. Please allow a minute for the videos to start.

Political Structures: 19th Century to the Fall of the Last Dynasty
video
podcast
transcript

The Chinese Republican Period: Sun Yat-sen, Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong
video
podcast
transcript

China under Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping and the Communist Party Today
video
podcast
transcript

The Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution, and Four Modernizations

video

podcast

transcript

The People's Republic of China's Environmental Policies
(Includes a discussion of the Three Gorges Dam)

video

podcast

transcript

Curriculum Units

Asian Art Outlook
An art history and appreciation unit for the elementary school level. The curriculum is based on the Asia Society's Rockefeller Collection of Asian art masterpieces.

Silk Roads Encounters
In collaboration with Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Roads Encounters Project, this curriculum unit looks examines the interwoven traditions of the Silk Roads.

Visible Traces
Visible Traces explores the role of record-keeping (both written and visual formats) in traditional China and its important role in governance over time.

For Students

For Kids

Maps

Map of Imperial Territories A Ming Dynasty Chinese map
Originally drawn during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), dated 1526; postscript by Yang Ziqi (1458–1513)Modern copy of original made in 1983 Hanging...more

Map of Imperial Territories
Originally drawn during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Jiajing period (1522–66), dated 1526; postscript by Yang Ziqi (1458–1513) Modern copy of...more

Images (137)

A Map of Imperial Territories (detail) A Ming Dynasty Chinese Map
Originally drawn during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), dated 1526; postscript by Yang Ziqi (1458–1513)Modern copy of original made in 1983 Hanging...more

Manual on Chrysanthemums, 1 juan
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95) Compiled by Hongjiao (18th century); proofread and edited by Li Kai (1686–1755) Beijing:...more

Illustrated Manual on Goldfish
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Daoguang period (1821–50) Compiled by Gouqu shannong (act. mid-19th century) N.p.: Yingxing shuwu, 1848 8 columns...more

Portrait of the Bodhisattva Guanyin
Purportedly Tang dynasty (618–907), undated Woodcut illustration; traditionally attributed to Wu Daozi (689–759), probably Ming (1368–1644) or...more

Tang dynasty (618–907), undated
Purportedly Tang dynasty (618–907), undated Woodcut illustration; traditionally attributed to Wu Daozi (689–759), probably Ming (1368–1644) or...more

Portrait of Confucius
Purportedly Tang dynasty (618– 907), undated Attributed to Wu Daozi (689–759) Hanging scroll, ink rubbed on 2 joined sheets of paper; 194.0 x...more

History of the Six Ancestors in Yi Script
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Jiaqing period (1796–1820), dated 1814 Manuscript copied by Shu Gejiao, ink on paper; 7 columns per page, read from...more

Storage Jar: Vietnam
Vietnam, possibly Champa; 15th - 16th century Stoneware with incised design under glaze (Go-Sanh ware) H. 13 1/8 in. (33.3 cm); D. 12 in. (30.5...more

Storage Jar: Vietnam, No. 2
Vietnam; 15th century Stoneware painted with underglaze cobalt blue H. 13 1/8 in. (33.3 cm); D. 14 in. (35.6 cm) Mr. and Mrs. John D....more

Duck-Shaped Vessel
Vietnam; 15th century Stoneware painted with underglaze cobalt blue H. 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm); L. 8 in. (20.3 cm) Mr. and Mrs. John D....more

Ceremonial Ax: Indonesia
Indonesia, Dongson culture; 100 B.C.E.-100 C.E. Cast bronze Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection of Asian Art 1995.001 ...more

Kendi (Spouted Jar)
Thailand; 15th - 16th century Stoneware with incised design under glaze (Si Satchanalai ware) H. 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm); D. 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm) ...more

Wine Vessel: You, China
North China; Western Zhou period (1050-770 B.C.E.), about late 11th century B.C.E. Bronze H. 14 7/8 in. (37.8 cm)including handle; W. 8 3/4 in....more

Wine Vessel: You, China No. 2
North China; Western Zhou period (1050-770 B.C.E.), about late 11th - early 10th century B.C.E. Bronze H. 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm)including handle;...more

Food Vessel: Gui
North China; Western Zhou period (1050-770 B.C.E.), about late 11th - early 10th century B.C.E. Bronze H. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm); W. 12 1/4 in....more

Food Vessel: Gui, No. 2
China, reportedly found in Shandong Province; Eastern Zhou period (770-256 B.C.E.), about 6th century B.C.E. Bronze H. 12 3/4 in. (32.4...more

Flask
North China; Eastern Zhou period (770-256 B.C.E.), 4th century B.C.E. Bronze inlaid with copper H. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm); W. 13 3/4 in. (34.9...more

Pole Fitting
North China; Eastern Zhou period (770-256 B.C.E.), 3rd century B.C.E. Bronze inlaid with silver H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); L. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm); W....more

Wine Vessel: Zun, China
North China; Shang period (c.1600-1050 B.C.E.), 13th - 11th century B.C.E. Bronze H. 13 in. (33 cm); D. 8 1/4 in. (21 cm) Estate of...more

Spearhead
North China; Shang period (c.1600-1050 B.C.E.), 13th - 11th century B.C.E. Bronze H. 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm); W. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm) Estate of...more

Bronze Horse: China
China; Eastern Han period (25-220 C.E.), C.E. 1st - 2nd century Bronze H. 2 3/8 in. (6 cm); L. 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm); W. 5/8 in. (1.6 cm) Mr....more

Bronze Wine-Warming Vessel: Wenjiazun
China; Western Han period (206 B.C.E. - 9 C.E.), 1st century B.C.E. Gilt bronze H. 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm); D. 8 1/4 in. (21 cm)at mouth Mr. and...more

Bronze Bixie (Mythical Animal)
North China; Western Han period (206 B.C.E. - C.E. 9) Gilt bronze H. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm); L. 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm); W. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm) Mr....more

Storage Jar: China
China, Gansu or Qinghai Province; Neolithic period, Gansu Yangshao culture, Banshan type, about 3rd - 2rd millenium B.C.E. Earthenware painted...more

Covered Jar: China
China, Zhejiang Province; Western Jin period (265-317), about late 3rd - early 4th century Stoneware with impressed and applied design under glaze...more

Storage Jar: Northern China
North China; Sui period (589 - 618) Earthenware with applied design under lead glaze H. 16 5/8 in. (42.2 cm); D. 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm) Mr....more

Footed Dish: China
North China; Tang period (618-906), 8th century Earthenware with stamped design under multicolored lead glazes (sancai ware) H. 2 1/8 in. (5.4...more

Jar: Northern China, No. 2
North China; Tang period (618-906), 8th - 9th century Stoneware with glaze H. 9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm); D. 11 in. (27.9 cm) Mr. and Mrs. John D....more

Female Attendant
North China; Western Han period (206 B.C.E. - 9 C.E.), 2nd century B.C.E. Earthenware with slip and traces of pigment H. 21 1/2 in. (54.6 cm) ...more

Court Lady
North China; Tang period (618-906), 8th century Earthenware with multicolored lead glazes and traces of pigment (sancai ware) H. 14 1/8 in....more

Civil Official
North China; Tang period (618-906), 8th century Earthenware with multicolored lead glazes and traces of pigment (sancai ware) H. 40 3/4 in....more

Horse: Northern China
North China; Tang period (618-906), early 8th century Earthenware with multicolored lead glazes (sancai ware) H. 23 in. (58.4 cm); L. 24 1/4...more

Tympanum with Paradise Scene
North China; Western Wei period (535 - 557) Limestone H. 35 in. (88.9 cm); W. 70 in. (177.8 cm) Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd...more

Lobed Dish
North China; Liao period (907 - 1125) Silver-gilt with embossing H. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm); D. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm)across points Mr. and Mrs. John...more

Bowl: North China
North China; Tang period (618-906), about late 7th - early 8th century Silver with embossing, chasing, engraving, and gilding H. 2 3/4 in. (7...more

Stem Cup
North China; Tang period (618-906), about late 7th - early 8th century Silver with embossing, chasing, engraving, and microscopic traces of...more

Mirror: North China
North China, reportedly found in Henan Province; Tang period (618-906), about 8th century Bronze with gold and silver inlays in lacquer H. 5...more

Ceramic Cusped Bowl: China
China, Shaanxi Province; Northern Song period (960-1127), about early 12th century Stoneware with combed and incised design under glaze (Yaozhou...more

Ceramic Dish: China
China, Shaanxi Province; Northern Song period (960-1127), late 11th - early 12th century Stoneware with carved and combed design under glaze...more

Ceramic Bowl (one of a pair): China
China, Shaanxi Province; Jin period (1115-1234), mid-12th century Stoneware with carved and combed design under glaze (Yaozhou ware) H. 2 1/8...more

Ceramic Bowl: China
China, Shaanxi Province; Jin period (1115-1234), 12th century Stoneware with carved and combed design under glaze (Yaozhou ware) H. 2 1/2 in....more

Ceramic Bowl: China, No. 2
China, Shaanxi Province; Jin period (1115-1234), 12th century Stoneware with incised design under glaze (Yaozhou ware) H. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm);...more

Ceramic Bowl: China, No. 3
China, Henan Province; Northern Song period (960-1127), 12th century Stoneware with glaze with suffusions from copper filings (Jun ware) H. 1...more

Brush Washer
China, Henan Province; Northern Song period (960-1127), early 12th century Stoneware with glaze (Jun ware) H. 2 3/4 in. (5.7 cm); D. 6 3/4 in....more

Ceramic Bowl: China, No. 4
China, Hebei Province; Northern Song period (960-1127), 11th - early 12th century Porcelain with incised design under glaze, the rim bound with...more

Ceramic Dish: China, No. 2
China, Hebei Province; Northern Song period (960-1127), early 12th century Porcelain with molded design under glaze (Ding ware) H. 2 in. (5.1...more

Ceramic Bottle: China
North China; Northern Song period (960-1127), 12th century Stoneware with sgraffito design in slip under glaze (Cizhou ware, probably from Xiuwu...more

Ceramic Vase: China
North China; Jin period (1115-1234), 12th century Stoneware with slip and with painted and incised design in black pigment under lead glaze...more

Ceramic Bottle: China, No. 2
North China; Northern Song period (960-1127), late 11th - early 12th century Stoneware with slip and trailed slip under glaze (Cizhou ware) H....more

Brush Washer, No. 2
North China; Northern Song period (960-1127), late 11th - early 12th century Stoneware with glaze with iron "oil spots H. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm);...more

Tea Bowl: China
China, Fujian Province; Southern Song period (1127-1279), 12th - 13th century Stoneware with glaze with iron "hare's fur" and painted with...more

Censer
China, Zhejiang Province; Southern Song period (1127-1279), late 12th - early 13th century Stoneware with glaze (Ge ware) H. 3 1/4 in. (8.3...more

Leaf-Shaped Cup
China, Zhejiang Province; Southern Song (1127-1279) to Yuan (1279-1368) period (1127-1368), 13th century Stoneware with glaze (Longquan ware) ...more

Ceramic Jar: China
China, Jiangxi Province; Southern Song period (1127-1279), 13th century Porcelain with carved and combed design under glaze (Qingbai ware) H. 6...more

Porcelain Platter: China
China, Zhejiang Province; Ming period (1368-1644), 14th - 15th century Stoneware with impressed design under glaze (Longquan ware) H. 3 1/2 in....more

Porcelain Platter: China, No. 2
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), late 14th - early 15th century Porcelain with glaze (Jingdezhen ware) H. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm);...more

Porcelain Platter: China, No. 3
China, Jiangxi Province; Yuan period (1279-1368), mid-14th century Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware) H. 3 in....more

Porcelain Saucer: China
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), late 14th century Porcelain painted with underglaze copper red (Jingdezhen ware) H. 1 in....more

Porcelain Jar: China
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), late 14th century Porcelain with underglaze copper red (Jingdezhen ware) H. 20 in. (50.8 cm);...more

Porcelain Dish: China
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), early 15th century Porcelain painted with underglaze copper red (Jingdezhen ware) H. 3/4 in....more

Porcelain Ewer: China
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), early 15th century (probably Yongle era, 1403 - 1424) Porcelain with incised design under glaze ...more

Porcelain Bottle: China
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), early 15th century (probably Yongle era, 1403 - 1424) Porcelain with incised design under glaze ...more

Porcelain Foliate Dish: China
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), early 15th century (probably Yongle era, 1403 - 1424) Porcelain with incised design under glaze...more

Porcelain Dish: China, No. 2
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), early 15th century (probably Yongle era, 1403 - 1424) Porcelain with impressed and incised...more

Porcelain Bowl: China
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), early 15th century (probably Yongle era, 1403 - 1424) Porcelain with incised and impressed...more

Porcelain Flask: China
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), early 15th century (probably Yongle era, 1403 - 1424) Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt...more

Porcelain Bowl: China, No. 2
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Xuande era, 1426 - 1435 Porcelain with incised design under glaze (Jingdezhen ware) H. 4 in....more

Porcelain Bowl: China, No. 3
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), early 15th century (probably Xuande era, 1426 - 1435) Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt...more

Porcelain Bowl: China, No. 4
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Xuande era, 1426 - 1435 Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware) H. 3...more

Porcelain Stem Cup: China
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Xuande era, 1426 - 1435 Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware) H. 3...more

Porcelain Bowl: China, No. 5
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Xuande era, 1426 - 1435 Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware) H. 3...more

Porcelain Dish: China, No. 3
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Xuande era, 1426 - 1435 Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware) H. 1...more

Porcelain Dish: China, No. 4
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Xuande era, 1426 - 1435 Porcelain with incised design in reserve against cobalt blue ground...more

Porcelain Jar: China, No. 2
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), early 15th century (probably Xuande era, 1426 - 1435) Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt...more

Lobed Vase
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), early 15th century (probably Xuande era, 1426 - 1435) Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt...more

Porcelain Bowl: China, No. 6
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Chenghua era, 1465 - 1487 Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware) H....more

Porcelain Bowl: China, No. 7
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Chenghua era, 1465 - 1487 Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware) H....more

Porcelain Jar: China, No. 3
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Chenghua era, 1465 - 1487 Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware) H....more

Porcelain Dish: China, No. 5
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), mid- to late 15th century (probably Chenghua era, 1465 - 1487) Porcelain painted with underglaze...more

Porcelain Wine Cup: China
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Chenghua era, 1465 - 1487 Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze enamels...more

Porcelain Stem Cup: China, No.2
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), mid- to late 15th century (probably Chenghua era, 1465 - 1487) Porcelain painted with underglaze...more

Porcelain Dish: China, No. 6
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), mid- to late 15th century (probably Chenghua era 1465 - 1487) Porcelain with copper-red glaze...more

Porcelain Bowl: China, No. 8
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Xuande era, 1426 - 1435 Porcelain with incised design under glaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware) ...more

Porcelain Jar: China, No. 4
China, Shanxi or Henan Province; Ming period (1368-1644), late 15th century (probably Hongzhi era, 1488 - 1505) Stoneware with trailed slip under...more

Porcelain Dish: China, No. 7
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Hongzhi era, 1488 - 1505 Porcelain with overglaze yellow enamel (Jingdezhen ware) H. 1 3/4...more

Porcelain Dish: China, No. 8
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Zhengde era, 1506 - 1521 Porcelain with overglaze yellow enamel (Jiangdezhen ware) H. 1 3/4...more

Porcelain Dish: China, No. 9
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Zhengde era, 1506 - 1521 Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze yellow...more

Porcelain Covered Jar: China
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), Jiajing era, 1522 - 1566 Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze enamels...more

Porcelain Plate (one of a pair): China
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368-1644), early 17th century (probably Tianqi era, 1621 - 1627) Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt...more

Porcelain Vase: China
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming (1368) to Qing (1644-1911) period, 17th century Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue and copper red...more

Qing Dynasty Porcelain Bowl
China, Jiangxi Province; Qing period (1644-1911), Yongzheng era, 1723 - 1735 Porcelain painted with overglaze enamels (Jingdezhen ware) H. 1...more

Pair of Porcelain Bowls: Qing Dynasty
China, Jiangxi Province; Qing period (1644-1911), early 18th century (possibly Yongzheng era, 1723 - 1735) Porcelain painted with overglaze...more

Qing Dynasty Porcelain Dish
China, Jiangxi Province; Qing period (1644-1911), Yongzheng era, 1723 - 1735 Porcelain painted with overglaze enamels (Jingdezhen ware) H. 1...more

Qing Dynasty Porcelain Platter
China, Jiangxi Province; Qing period (1644-1911), about 18th century Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware) H. 3 1/2...more

Painting: Xie An at East Mountain
Attributed to Lou Guan (active mid- to late 13th century) China; Southern Song (1127-1279) to Yuan (1279-1368) period, late 13th century ...more

Painting: Temple on a Mountain Ledge
Kuncan (1612 - about 1686) China; Qing period (1644-1911), dated 1661 Hanging scroll; Ink and color on paper Image only, H. 33 1/2 in. (85.1...more

Bixie (Mythical Animal): Qing Period
China; Qing period (1644-1911), late 18th - early 19th century Nephrite H. 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm); L. 12 in. (30.5 cm); W. 7 in. (17.8 cm) Mr....more

Wooden Horse
China; Late Ming (1368-1644) to Qing (1644-1911) period, 17th-18th century Wood with brushed brown lacquer H. 8 in. (20.3 cm); L. 14 3/4 in....more

Ming Period Lobed Dish
China; Ming period (1368-1644), early 15th century (probably Yongle era, 1403 - 1424) Carved cinnabar lacquer on wood or cloth H. 1 5/8 in....more

Stoneware Bowl: Korea
Korea; Koryo period (918-1392), 12th century Stoneware with carved design under glaze H. 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm); D. 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm) Mr. and...more

Stoneware Bottle: Korea, No. 2
Korea; Unified Shilla period (668-935), 8th - 9th century Stoneware with carved design H. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm); D. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm) Gift of...more

Byakue Kannon (White-robed Kannon)
Attributed to Gekko (Chinese: Yue Hu) Japan; Muromachi period (1392 - 1573), late 14th - 15th century Hanging scroll; Ink on silk ...more

Painting: Birds and Flowers
Cho'oku Joki (active late 15th - early 16th century) Japan; Muromachi period (1392-1573), late 15th - early 16th century Hanging scroll; Ink...more

Drum-Shaped Pillow: Japan
Japan, Saga Prefecture; Edo period (1615-1867), late 18th - early 19th century Porcelain painted with overglaze enamels and gold (Arita ware,...more

Covered Bowl: Japan
Japan, Saga Prefecture; Edo period (1615-1867), about 1670 - 1690 Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze enamels (Arita ware,...more

Gourd-Shaped Bottle: Japan
Japan, Saga Prefecture; Edo period (1615-1867), about 1660 - 1680 Porcelain painted with overglaze enamels (Arita ware) H. 10 3/8 in. (26.4...more

Parents 1998
About the Photographer Wang Jinsong was born in Heilonjiang Province, China, in 1963. He graduated from the Ink Painting Department of the Zhejiang...more

Subway, Beijing 1997
About the Photographer Brian Palmer was born in New York. After graduating from Brown University with a degree in East Asian Studies in 1986, he...more

Calvary Horse A Silk Roads Encounters Image
Horses held special importance along the Silk Roads as the work animals of the nomadic peoples and, as with this figure, part of the military force. ...more

Tomb Brick with Scenes of Animal Husbandry A Silk Roads Encounters Image
A herder looks after his goats and two oxen on this brick that was excavated from a burial stie. This is one of many bricks from the interior of the...more

Stove with Steamer A Silk Road Encounters Image
When this small stove was found in a tomb, it still held the remains of a cake. The food was probably prepared in the steamer compartment as part of...more

Models of Farming Materials and Animal Figures A Silk Roads Encounters Image
These small models of farm implements are part of hundreds of figures ina tomb for General Li Xian and his wife, Wu Hui. Tools, buildings, and...more

Cavalryman and Horse A Silk Road Encounters Image
This clay figure shows both man and horse covered with armor. This clay figure was likely shaped in a mold, worked by hand, placed in a kiln for...more

Glass Bowl from Persia A Silk Road Encounters Image
This green glass bowl with striking roundels (decorative round recess patterns) comes from ancient Persia. It was discovered in a tomb in western...more

Dancing Central Asia Figure A Silk Road Encounters Image
The costume of this figure tells us that this is a Sogdian. Sogdians were people who inhabited an area called Sogdiana, in modern-day Uzbekistan and...more

Seated Buddha A Silk Road Encounters Image
Buddhism, one of the world's oldest belief systems, was transmitted from India through Central Asia and into China by monks traveling with merchants...more

Bodhisattva of Compassion A Silk Roads Encounters Image
In the Buddhist pantheon, a bodhisattva is an enlightened being who has postponed attaining enlightenment in order to help others. Although they may...more

Wall Painting of a Celestial Being A Silk Road Encounters Image
What is left of this wall painting allows us to see that bright, rich colors were used to create the music-making celesial creatures who often...more

Gold Byzantine Coin A Silk Road Encounter Image
This gold coin pictures the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. In his hand is a globe topped with a cross, signifying that the whole world is subject to...more

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