The Shanghai Museum, located in the heart of Shanghai’s People’s Square, is one of China’s most prestigious institutions dedicated to ancient Chinese art.
Since its relocation in 1996 to its iconic building—designed to resemble a ding (an ancient bronze ritual vessel)—the museum has served as a world-class repository for over 120,000 artifacts. Its architecture, which symbolizes the ancient Chinese philosophical concept of "round sky, square earth," houses eleven permanent galleries that span millennia, showcasing everything from exquisite bronzes and jades to Ming and Qing dynasty furniture.
The museum’s Ceramics Gallery is particularly renowned for its comprehensive display of 8,000 years of Chinese history, offering a detailed look at the evolution from rough Neolithic pottery to the highly refined porcelain of the imperial era. Located in the museum’s East Wing, the gallery features hundreds of masterworks, including rare Ru kiln celadons, iconic Yuan dynasty blue-and-white porcelain, and delicate Ming and Qing imperial wares. A standout feature of the gallery is its interactive area, which allows visitors to handle professional-grade replicas and gain a tactile understanding of the craftsmanship involved in creating these timeless cultural treasures.
Preface «Pottery is a great invention in the history of human civilization. It is the very first human-made object that was created by changing the physical property of raw material. China's invention of the mature green glazed porcelain, which appeared in the late Eastern Han period, has made great contribution to the development of human civilization. Porcelain is a crown jewel in the ancient Chinese civilization and was only produced in China for a long time in history. Porcelain is the vehicle that introduces and spreads Chinese culture to the world. The manufacture of Chinese porcelain also exerts a lasting influence on the ceramic industry of many other countries in the world. An outstanding genre of traditional Chinese handicrafts, Chinese ceramics enjoy a long history of production and a wide popularity with myriad products. Ceramic wares have been produced continuously in China till today since its invention around 20,000 years ago. They are versatile daily necessities for everyone. The kaleidoscopic Chinese ceramics encompass a wide range of possibilities: polychrome glazed potteries made in the Tang dynasty (618-907), elegant celadon in the Song dynasty (960-1279), stately imperial porcelains in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, as well as porcelains made in folk kilns that tell the story of this secular world. The history of Chinese ceramics not only showcases the birth, growth, and prosperity of Chinese ceramics, but also the role that ceramics play in the history of ancient Chinese society, culture, arts and crafts, as well as its contribution to the communication between China and the world.» |
1. Neolithic Age
Neolithic Age «Pottery is the first creation by human that was made by transforming property of materials through physical endeavour. The invention of pottery is epoch-making in the history of human beings, marking the dawn of the Neolithic Age. Pottery brought significant changes to the life of early human and helped them to live a more settled life. Remains from the Neolithic Age could be found across China. Pottery was produced almost everywhere, particularly in the Yellow River basin and the Yangtze River basin. Potteries made in different regions vary in forms and patterns, demonstrating contemporary fashion and characteristics of primitive art. They are also endowed with rich cultural and social values.» |
Yellow River Basin «Many Neolithic sites distribute along the Yellow River basin. Prehistoric potteries found in this area have the most diversified types and shapes. Painted potteries of the Majiayao culture in the upper reaches of the Yellow River have distinctive regional characteristics, featured by fluid and dynamic drawings. Potteries of the Yangshao culture are mostly red wares designed in various forms. They are the outstanding representatives of those made in the middle reaches of the Yellow River. In the lower reaches of the Yellow River, the craftsmen of the Dawenkou culture and the Longshan culture produced different kinds of pottery with sophisticated techniques. Black pottery stands out for the exceptionally intricate craftsmanship.» |
Pot with lattice |
Pot with ring |
2. Shang and Zhou Dynasties
Shang and Zhou Dynasties (16th century-221 BCE) «The Shang and Zhou dynasties saw great development in politics, economy, culture, and the establishment of the administrative system. Social stratification, highly specialized handicraft industry, and writing languages emerged. The handicraft industry became independent. Specialized workshops appeared for producing bronze, bone, jade, stone, and pottery wares. In each sector, there was division of the work. This period also saw a growth in the pottery industry. In addition to producing red, grey, and black potteries, potters created high-temperature white pottery, hard pottery with stamped patterns, and proto-porcelain. They also mastered the use of glaze.» |
Pottery «During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, forms and styles of pottery significantly increased. Potters could make pottery wares at a higher temperature with improved quality. Each region had their own main products. The high-temperature white pottery and hard pottery with stamped patterns were important innovations in this period. The forms and patterns of white pottery imitate those of contemporary bronzes. They were mostly unearthed in the Yinxu site in Anyang, Henan province. Mainly produced in the southern regions, hard potteries were fired at a higher temperature and flourished in the Shang and Zhou dynasties till the Qin and Han dynasties (221 BCE-220 CE).» |
Ding (tripod) with beast head |
Proto-porcelain «Proto-porcelain marks the transition of pottery to porcelain. It first appeared in the Shang dynasty. The production sites were distributed along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. During the early Warring States period, proto-porcelain reached its zenith when the quantity, quality, and production area of proto-porcelain developed in an unprecedented manner. The most significant product is the vessels made after contemporary bronzes. The production declined from the late Warring States period to the middle of the Eastern Han dynasty, and gradually faded out.» |
Zun (pot) with strings |
3. Qin and Han Dynasties, Three Kingdoms, Jin Dynasty, Northern and Southern Dynasties
Qin and Han Dynasties, Three Kingdoms, Jin Dynasty, Northern and Southern Dynasties (221 BCE-589 CE) «The Qin and Han dynasties mark significant development in the history of Chinese ceramics. The Qin and Han pottery figures play a vital role in the history of Chinese sculpture. The low-temperature pottery wares coated with lead glaze gradually became popular during the Western Han period. The production technique is a major achievement in ceramic craftsmanship, laying the foundation for the low-temperature pottery wares with various colours of later periods. In the late Eastern Han dynasty, mature green glazed porcelain was created, opening a new chapter in the history of ceramics. In the Three Kingdoms period (220–280), Jin dynasty (266-420), Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589), the manufacture of porcelain differed in the south and the north. In the south where the society was stable, the porcelain industry went through rapid development from the Kingdom of Wu (229-280) to the Jin dynasty. Till the Southern Dynasties (420-589), kilns were widely distributed along the Yangtze River. In the north where wars often broke out, the porcelain industry came into being until the late Northern Dynasties.» |
Pottery in the Qin and Han Dynasties, 221 BCE-220 CE «In the Qin and Han dynasties, main products were grey pottery wares. They have been unearthed in large quantities from many regions. Findings usually include burial objects such as figurines, bronze-style ceremonial vessels, towers, castles, barns, stoves, and livestock. Lots of pictorial bricks also emerged. In the Han dynasty, lead glazed pottery was first found in the tombs from Emperor Wu's reign (141-87 BCE) in Guanzhong area. Its popularity increased from the middle of the Western Han. Till the Eastern Han dynasty, it spread to a wider area, from Guansu to the west, the Great Wall to the north, Shandong to the east, and Hunan, Jiangxi and other provinces to the south.» |
Watchtower |
Jar with Applied Decoration «Jars with applied decoration are more commonly found in the tombs from the Three Kingdoms period till the Western Jin dynasty (220–316) in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. They reflect the various aspects of social life and funeral rites of that time. The jars were closely connected with the early spread and faith of Buddhism and Taoism. Before jars with applied decoration were jars with five mouths, which first appeared in the mid-to-late Eastern Han period. During the Kingdom of Wu (229-280) and the Western Jin (266-316), the shoulders of five-mouth jars became flat like platforms to hold applied decorations, such as birds, dogs, sheep, bears, chicken, ducks, fish, monkeys, figurines, immortals riding beasts, Kirin and phoenixes. At the same time, the jarlets on top of the five-mouth jars transformed into houses and pavilions.» |
Pot with appliqué of human face |
4. Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties
Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties (581-960) «The Sui (581-618), Tang (618-907) and Five Dynasties (907-960) mark a turning point in the history of Chinese ceramics. In this period, the firing technology went through significant breakthroughs. The production of polychrome glazed pottery reached the peak. Their colourful and vibrant design reflects the social fashion in the Tang dynasty. The landscape of porcelain industry was termed as “Green in the South and White in the North”. White porcelain grew mature from the Sui till the Tang dynasty. In the early stage, Gongyi kilns produced the most representative white porcelain whereas white porcelain from Xing kilns became popular in the late stage. In the south, the celadon was represented by Yue wares, especially mise (literally “secret colour”) wares featuring blueish green glaze. Besides, painted porcelains from Changsha kilns were distinctive. Other types were born, including marbled and variegated porcelain, showcasing the technical innovation made by the kilns in the Sui and Tang dynasties.» |
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5. Song, Liao, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties
Song, Liao, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties (960-1368) «During the Song and Yuan dynasties (960-1368), the Chinese ceramic industry embraced the heyday. During the Song dynasty (960-1279), kilns like Ru, Guan, and Ding were admired for their masterpieces made for the court. Other kilns across China made signature wares with their unique techniques. Ceramics made in the Liao (916-1125) and Xixia (1038-1227) dynasties in the north injected ethnic taste of art into the porcelain production. This period was marked by a galaxy of famous kilns and new products with innovative design catalysed by exchanges and mutual enrichment. Jingdezhen and Longquan kilns expanded in the Yuan dynasty and grew into the two most important porcelain centres in China.» |
Jar with lotus-leaf-shaped lid and appliqué of dragon and phoenix
(left)
Lidded bottle with appliqué of dragon (center left)
Lidded bottle with lotus flowers and appliqué of dragon (center right)
Five-tubed jar with lid and carved flowers (right) |
Jar with clouds and wild geese on white ground (left)
Vase with qinggu meijiu mark on white ground (center left)
Vase with flowers and leaves on white ground (center right)
Pearl-patterned vase with incised flower (right) |
Vase with inscription of Xixia character (left)
Jar with incised peony on white ground (center left)
Melping vase (center right)
Tripod censer with appliqué and beast-shaped lug (right) |
6. Jingdezhen Ware during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties
Jingdezhen Ware during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties (1271-1911) «The Yuan dynasty marks a transitional period for the Jingdezhen ceramic industry. The shift in ceramic mainstream from monochrome porcelain to painted porcelain was made possible by technical innovations, represented by blue-and-white and underglaze red. Jingdezhen thus stood out as the nation's capital for the porcelain industry. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the imperial court established the official kiln in Jingdezhen, producing ceramics for imperial use and official purposes. The finest raw materials were chosen, skilled craftsmen across China were summoned, and expertise from various kilns was incorporated. The official kiln produced numerous masterpieces representing the highest level of contemporary ceramic art, significantly promoting the growth of the porcelain industry. Jingdezhen soon became the global centre for porcelain production, placing a deep influence on the future of worldwide ceramics.» |
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Jar with fish and seaweed (left)
Jar with dragons and phoenixes (center left)
Jar with clouds and dragons (center right)
Vase with clouds and dragons (right) |
Jar with clouds and dragons |
Bottle with beast-shaped handles (left)
Jar with carved clouds and dragons and beast-shaped handles (center left)
Jar with peonies (center right)
Jar with peonies and beast-shaped handles (right) |
Melon-shaped vase with seasonal flowers (left)
Bottle with clouds and dragon (center)
Bowl with chrysanthemums (right) |
Vase with sprigs of flower and fruit (left)
Monk's-cap-shaped ewer (center)
Ewer with panel and sprigs of flower and fruit (right) |
Reigns of Zhengtong, Jingtai, and Tianshun, 1436–1464 «During the mid-15th century of Zhengtong, Jingtai, and Tianshun periods, very few Jingdezhen official wares bore reign marks. Thus, little was known about the Jingdezhen official porcelain manufacture. This period was referred to as the "interregnum period" or "dark period". More and more archaeological discoveries in Jingdezhen in recent years help unveil the mystery. In fact, the official kiln production never ceased and quite a few masterpieces have survived till today.» |
Bottle with waves and dragon |
Bottle with six dragons |
Vase with ear and image of hundreds of children |
Jar with carved clouds and dragons |
Vase with chi-dragon-shaped lug and pattern of auspiciousness and
longevity |
Vase with eight immortals |
7. Kilns in Other Regions in the Ming and Qing Dynasties
Kilns in Other Regions in the Ming and Qing Dynasties «The porcelain industry was widely distributed during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Besides Jingdezhen, other regions also produced remarkable works. Products like guanjun were likely used in the court in the early and middle Ming. From the Hongwu reign till the Tianshun reign (1368-1464) in the Ming dynasty, Longquan kilns remained one of the main kilns producing porcelain for the imperial court. Well-known products include white porcelain from Zhangzhou kilns and Dehua kilns in Fujian, Yixing zisha ware in Jiangsu province, and pottery with flambé glaze from Shiwan kilns in Guangdong province.» |
Dehua Ware in the Ming and Qing Dynasties «During the Ming and Qing dynasties, foreign trade was prosperous in the southeastern coastal region, where Dehua kilns were located. The domestic and international market demands brought Dehua kilns into a golden age. The distinctive white porcelains, featured by the fine and white clay body as well as the rich and pure glaze, are globally well known as Blanc de Chine. Among them, porcelain figurines with lively shapes and smooth lines are most representative.» |
Buddha |
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