painted vase, c. 4000-3000 from gansu province. neolithic:

Ancient China

Ashmolean Museumhttp://www.ashmolean.org/departments/easternart/about/

http://www.ashmolean.org/departments/easternart/studycentre/

http://www.ashmolean.org/departments/easternart/about/


Painted vase, c. 4000-3000 from Gansu Province.

Neolithic:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Neolithic_cultures_of_Chinahttp://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/cneo/hd_cneo.htmhttp://etcweb.princeton.edu/asianart/timeperiod_china.jsp?ctry=China&pd=Neolithichttp://www.nga.gov/education/chinatp_pt1.htm

Gansu Province (northwest China):http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gansu

H: 33.7cm; D: 35cm. Clay, earthenware painted in red and dark brownImage: Ashmolean Picture Library (EAX.3814)

http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EAX.3814

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Neolithic_cultures_of_China

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/cneo/hd_cneo.htm

http://etcweb.princeton.edu/asianart/timeperiod_china.jsp?ctry=China&pd=Neolithic

http://etcweb.princeton.edu/asianart/timeperiod_china.jsp?ctry=China&pd=Neolithic

http://www.nga.gov/education/chinatp_pt1.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gansu


Notched ceremonial blade, c. 1900-1500.

Erlitou period:http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/waaTimelines.asp?id={C03F9349-A254-4D90-AB91-C871152384A1}

Pre-dynastic and Shang:http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/909

Erlitou culture:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erlitou_culture

Jade:http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/903http://www.rightreading.com/writing/jade.htmhttp://asianart.com/israel/intro.html

H: 6.2cm; W: 11.5cm. Jade, carvedImage: Ashmolean Picture Library (EA1956. 1621)

http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1956.1621

http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/waaTimelines.asp?id=%7BC03F9349-A254-4D90-AB91-C871152384A1%7D


http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/909

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erlitou_culture


http://www.rightreading.com/writing/jade.htm

http://asianart.com/israel/intro.html


Ceremonial blade (zhang), c. 1900-1500.

Erlitou period:http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/waaTimelines.asp?id={C03F9349-A254-4D90-AB91-C871152384A1}


Erlitou culture:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erlitou_culture


H: 29.6cm; W: 5.9cm. Jade, carvedImage: Ashmolean Picture Library (EA1956. 1647)











Notched disc axe (xuanji), c. 1900-1500.

Erlitou period:http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/waaTimelines.asp?id={C03F9349-A254-4D90-AB91-C871152384A1}http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erlitou_culture



H: 9.2cm; D: 9.2cm. Jade, carvedImage: Ashmolean Picture Library (EA1956. 1578)










Ceremonial axe, c. 1900 - 1500.

H: 4.7cm; W: 11.4cm. Jade, carvedImage: Ashmolean Picture Library (EA1956. 1645)http://www.ashmolean.org/services/picturelibrary

Erlitou period:http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/waaTimelines.asp?id={C03F9349-A254-4D90-AB91-C871152384A1}http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erlitou_culture



H: 4.7cm; W: 11.4cm. Jade, carvedImage: Ashmolean Picture Library (EA1956. 1645)http://www.ashmolean.org/services/picturelibrary

http://www.ashmolean.org/ervices/picturelibrary








http://www.ashmolean.org/ervices/picturelibrary

Notched pendant in the form of a dragon, c. 1600 - 1050.


Shang Dynasty:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_Dynastyhttp://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Myth/shang.htmlhttp://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22689.htm


H: 8.8cm; W: 6.2cm. Jade, carvedImage: Ashmolean Picture Library (EA1956.1591)



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_Dynasty

http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Myth/shang.html

http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22689.htm






Handle, c. 1600 - 1050.


Shang Dynasty:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_Dynastyhttp://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Myth/shang.htmlhttp://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22689.htm


H: 10.3cm; W: 2cm. Jade, carvedImage: Ashmolean Picture Library (EA1956.1649)











Ritual wine vessel, jiao, c. 1200 - 1050.

Anyang:http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/waaTimelines.asp?id={B28D59ED-FC23-4671-8A88-99E2CA55BA34}

Shang Dynasty:http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/909http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_Dynastyhttp://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Myth/shang.htmlhttp://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22689.htm

Ritual Vessels:http://www.nga.gov/education/chinatp_bze.shtmhttp://www.chinaknowledge.de/Art/Bronze/bronze.html

Bronzes:http://www.asia.si.edu/explore/china/bronzes/default.asp

H: 19cm; W: 15.5cm. Bronze, casthttp://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1956.840

http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/waaTimelines.asp?id=%7BB28D59ED-FC23-4671-8A88-99E2CA55BA34%7D







http://www.nga.gov/education/chinatp_bze.shtm

http://www.chinaknowledge.de/Art/Bronze/bronze.html

http://www.asia.si.edu/explore/china/bronzes/default.asp


Ritual food vessel, ding, c. 1200 - 1050.

Anyang period:http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/waaTimelines.asp?id={B28D59ED-FC23-4671-8A88-99E2CA55BA34}


Ritual vessels:http://www.nga.gov/education/chinatp_bze.shtmhttp://www.chinaknowledge.de/Art/Bronze/bronze.html


Dings:http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/902/all/per_page/25/offset/0/sort_by/seqn./object/1035http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ding_(vessel)http://www.chinainfoonline.com/AncientRelics/Thebronzetripodorcauldron.htm

H: 20.1cm (inc. handles); D: 15cm. Bronze, casthttp://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1956.3516











http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/902/all/per_page/25/offset/0/sort_by/seqn./object/1035


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ding_(vessel)

http://www.chinainfoonline.com/AncientRelics/Thebronzetripodorcauldron.htm



Ritual wine vessel, gu, c.1200 - 1050.





Wine:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_wine#Ancient_Chinahttp://www.chinancient.com/history-of-wine/

H: 28.2cm; D: 16cm. Bronze, castImage: Ashmolean Picture Library (EA1956.889)













http://www.chinancient.com/history-of-wine/


Ritual bell, 1200 - 1050.





Bells and music:lhttp://www.artsconnected.org/collection/102654/early-chinese-bronzeshttp://www.china.org.cn/english/features/FbiCh/78450.htmhttp://history.cultural-china.com/en/54History3785.html

H: 16.5cm; W: 13cm. Bronze, casthttp://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1956.837











http://www.artsconnected.org/collection/102654/early-chinese-bronzes

http://www.artsconnected.org/collection/102654/early-chinese-bronzes

http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/FbiCh/78450.htm

http://history.cultural-china.com/en/54History3785.html


Inscribed oracle bone, 1200 - 1050.



Oracle bones:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_bonehttp://oraclememory.ihp.sinica.edu.tw/e-collection.htmhttp://www.chinapage.com/oracle/oracle.htmlhttp://chinaknowledge.org/Literature/Historiography/oracle.html

Writing:http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/908

H: 8cm; W: 5cm. Bonehttp://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EAX.509








http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_bone

http://oraclememory.ihp.sinica.edu.tw/e-collection.htm

http://www.chinapage.com/oracle/oracle.html

http://chinaknowledge.org/Literature/Historiography/oracle.html



Jade spearhead set in a bronze haft, 1200 - 1050.



H: 21cm; W: 5.3cm. Jade and cast bronzehttp://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1956.1447










Chariot fitting, c. 1050 - 771.

H: 3.7cm; W: 4.6cm. Bronze, castImage: Ashmolean Picture Library (EA1956.1541)

Western Zhou Dynasty:http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/910http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Zhouhttp://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/shzh/hd_shzh.htmhttp://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/article_index/c/china_western_zhou_dynasty.aspx

Horses and chariots:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chariot_(ancient_China)http://history.cultural-china.com/en/53H1724H3286.htmlhttp://www.ket.org/artofthehorse/ed/history.htm

H: 3.7cm; W: 4.6cm. Bronze, casthttp://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1956.1460


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Zhou

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/shzh/hd_shzh.htm

http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/article_index/c/china_western_zhou_dynasty.aspx


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chariot_(ancient_China)

http://history.cultural-china.com/en/53H1724H3286.html

http://www.ket.org/artofthehorse/ed/history.htm


Bridal fitting, c. 1050 - 771.



H: 12cm; W: 11cm. Bronze, casthttp://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1956.1541










Lynch pin in the form of a rhinoceros head from a chariot, c. 1050 - 771.



Rhinoceros in China:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinoceroses_in_ancient_China










http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinoceroses_in_ancient_China


Horse jingle, c. 1050 - 771.



H: 8.5cm; D: 10.4cm. Bronze, casthttp://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1956.844










Halberd, c. 770 - c. 21.

Eastern Zhou Dynasty:http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/910http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhou_Dynastyhttp://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22704.htm

Halberds:http://www.ancientchina.co.uk/tombs/explore/north_halberd.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ji_(halberd)






http://www.ancientchina.co.uk/tombs/explore/north_halberd.html


Belt plaque with tiger and dog in combat, 500 -401.


Spring and Autumn Period:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_and_Autumn_Periodhttp://history.cultural-china.com/en/183History6968.html

Belt plaques:http://www.kaogu.cn/en/detail.asp?ProductID=2919

Bronzes:http://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/explore/explore-collection-chinese-bronzes.cfmhttp://afe.easia.columbia.edu/special/china_4000bce_bronze.htm

H: 5cm; L: 10.3cm. Tinned bronzehttp://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1967.126





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_and_Autumn_Period

http://history.cultural-china.com/en/183History6968.html

http://www.kaogu.cn/en/detail.asp?ProductID=2919

http://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/explore/explore-collection-chinese-bronzes.cfm

http://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/explore/explore-collection-chinese-bronzes.cfm

http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/special/china_4000bce_bronze.htm


Ritual food vessel (ding), 475-221 from the Yue kiln-site.

Yue kiln-site (Shanglin Lake, Zhejiang Province, southeast China):http://www1.chinaculture.org/library/2008-02/15/content_33604.htmhttp://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5331/http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_madeinchina/2005-09/16/content_73020.htm


Warring States Period:http://www.chinatour360.com/history/warring-states.htm


Stoneware/earthenware:http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/907http://www.chinaknowledge.de/Art/Ceramics/ceramics.html

H: 19.3; D: 20.5cm, Clay, stoneware with yellowish-green glazehttp://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1956.529

http://www1.chinaculture.org/library/2008-02/15/content_33604.htm



http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_madeinchina/2005-09/16/content_73020.htm






http://www.chinatour360.com/history/warring-states.htm









Ritual food vessel (ding) with hunting scenes, 475-221.


Warring States Period:http://www.chinatour360.com/history/warring-states.htm

Ritual vessels:Warring States Period:http://www.nga.gov/education/chinatp_bze.shtmhttp://www.chinaknowledge.de/Art/Bronze/bronze.html



H: 16.5cm; D: 22cm. Bronze, cast, originally inlaid, probably with copper.http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1956.887





http://www.chinatour360.com/history/warring-states.htm










Three-legged basin (lian) with tigers and mountains in relief, c. 206BC - 9AD.

Han Dynasty:http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/911http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_Dynastyhttp://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/history/dynasty-han.cfmhttp://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_22724.htm

H: 15.8cm; D: 19.5cm. Clay, earthenware, with green lead glazehttp://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1956.3100


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_Dynasty

http://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/history/dynasty-han.cfm




Bronze crossbow with inscriptions

Crossbow with inscriptions, c. 206BC - 220AD.


Crossbows:http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/miltech/crossbow.htmhttp://thearbalistguild.forumotion.com/t221-history-of-crossbows-ancient-chinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossbow

Writing: http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/908

H: 7cm; W: 17cm. Bronze, cast.http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1965.138






http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/miltech/crossbow.htm

http://thearbalistguild.forumotion.com/t221-history-of-crossbows-ancient-china

http://thearbalistguild.forumotion.com/t221-history-of-crossbows-ancient-china

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossbow



Clay seal, c. 206BC - 220AD with script.


Seals and scripts:http://www.tnm.jp/modules/r_free_page/index.php?id=419&lang=enhttp://www.japaneseartandantiques.com/events_seals.html

Seals and intangible heritage:http://news.at0086.com/China-Culture-News/Chinese-Seal-engraving-has-been-included-on-the-world-intangible-cultural-heritage-list.html

Writing: http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/908

D: 3.2cm. Clay.http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EAX.565






http://www.tnm.jp/modules/r_free_page/index.php?id=419&lang=en

http://www.tnm.jp/modules/r_free_page/index.php?id=419&lang=en

http://www.japaneseartandantiques.com/events_seals.html

http://news.at0086.com/China-Culture-News/Chinese-Seal-engraving-has-been-included-on-the-world-intangible-cultural-heritage-list.html





Model of a house, c. 206BC - 220AD from Guangdong Province.

Guangdong Province (south east China):http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guangdong


Models:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_architecture#Miniature_models

Burial practices:http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/917

H: 29.5cm; W: 36cm. Clay, earthenware, glazed.http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1969.51

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guangdong






http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_architecture#Miniature_models

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_architecture#Miniature_models



Greenware model of an animal pen, 2nd half of the 3rd century - 4th century AD, from the Yue kiln-site, Jiuyan.

Jiuyan:http://data.clarosnet.org/doc/places/ashmol/placename/jiuyan-kiln-sites


Greenwares:http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/907


H: 5.8cm; D: 11.4cm. Clay, grey stoneware with green glaze.http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1956.958

http://data.clarosnet.org/doc/places/ashmol/placename/jiuyan-kiln-sites











Green ware model of a chicken in a coop, 2nd half of the 3rd century - 4th century AD, from the Yue kiln-site.


Green wares:http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/4/901/907


H: 4.7cm; W: 8.2cm. Clay, grey stoneware with green glaze.http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1956.944






Ancient China

Ashmolean Museumhttp://www.ashmolean.org/departments/easternart/about/


painted vase, c. 4000-3000 from gansu province. neolithic:

Documents

ashmolean picture library

erlitou period

ceremonial axe

notched ceremonial blade

ceremonial blade zhang

notched disc axe xuanji

gansu province

cu province northwest