Chronological Table

2
0
0
0

B
C

2000 BC
XIA
DYNASTY

2100.1600 BC

 

The first recorded history is from the Xia
Dynasty. Several excavations throughout China
indicate it was an emerging bronze culture
preceding the Shang Dynasty.The develop-
ment of decorated ceramics and bronze
technology began in the Neolothic period and
continued into the Xia Dynasty

1
5
0
0

B
C

1500 BC
SHANG
DYNASTY

1600.1027 BC

This period is marked by many powerful innovations: the development of a written language, the creation of a complex bronze technology, the refinement of ceramic production processes and the organization of a war-like civilization relying on horse-drawn chariots

1
0
0
0

B
C

1000BC
ZHOU
DYNASTY
1100.256 BC

During the Zhou Dynasty, China changed from a
mixed agricultural and hunting society into an
organized urban and feudal agricultural state.
The two main Chinese philosophies-
Confucianism and Daoism-date to this
period. Proof of Zhou woodwork and lacquer-
work has been found, along with evidence of
brush painting, especially illustrated text on silk

2
0
0

B
C

200 BC
QIN
DYNASTY

221.206 BC

Shi Huang Di, the self-declared "First
Emperor", began construction on the Great
Wall of China as well as a network of roads
during the Qin Dynasty. He standardized script,
coinage, weights and measures, and even created
a centralized bureaucracy. However, Shi Huang
ruled with such harshness that his empire
crumbled in rebellion shortly following
his death.

0

A
D

0 AD
HAN
DYNASTY

206BC.220AD

Even today, Chinese call themselves "the people
of Han," indicating the long-ranging influence
of the Han Dynasty. Scholars reconstituted both
Confucianism and Daoism during this period,
adapting it to contemporary concerns,
particularly the preoccupation with achieving
immortality and longevity. The Han Empire was
in contact with India, Southeast Asia, Central
Asia and the Mediterranean world. Scale and
diversity are reflected in the art from this
period. Bronze and metal work exhibited the
dynasty's inclination towards elegance and
detail while ceramics and iron-glazed stoneware
continued to be developed and refined

5
0
0

A
D

500 AD
SUI
DYNASTY
581.618AD

Between the fall of the Han Dynasty and the
reunification of the empire under the short-
lived Sui Dynasty, political unrest, cultural
intermingling and Buddhism swept China.
Buddhism became the great patron of the arts.
Three main styles emerged: Archaic, Elong-
ated and Columnar. Great achievements were
made in stone and clay figural sculpture. The
earliest known great Chinese masters of paint-
ing and calligraphy came from the Sui Dynasty.

8
0
0

A
D

800 AD
TANG
DYNASTY

618.907 AD

During the Tang Dynasty, China became a great
world empire extending from the Caspian Sea
to the Pacific, from Manchuria and Korea in the
north into Vietnam in the south. Art and literature
from the period mirrored the stability cosmopolit-
anism and strength of the mighty empire. Sculpture
was amply proportioned and three-dimensional.
China's significant contribution to the art world at
this point was landscape painting. Advanced
ceramics were created in earthenware and stone-
ware with precious materials such as gold, silver,
gemstones and jade. By the end of the Tang, the
north was producing a pure white porcelain known
as Xing ware.

1
0
0
0

A
D

1000 AD
SONG
DYNASTY

960.1279

Unique unto itself, the Song Dynasty featured a
wealth of first-rate Chinese artists and thinkers
who were also capable as government administra-
tors. Education was readily available-public,
private and religious schools were abundant.
Woodblock printing made an increasing variety of
books more widely available. Scholars were
respected while militarism was suspect. Late Tang
landscape painting was transformed into a mature,
unified art through disciplined and creative
brushwork. The subtlety and smoothness of the
Song pieces directly contrasts with the sharp
angled forms of the Tang and earlier dynasties.

1
3
0
0

A
D

1300 AD
YUAN
DYNASTY

1271.1368 AD

The formation of the Yuan Dynasty was the first age of foreign rule in China. Although Genghis Khan, leader of the Mongols, died in 1227, his heirs continued the onslaught in China. Kublai Khan became emperor of China in 1280. During this period, a new school of "literati" painting was founded by four masters who refused service under the Yuan Dynasty. They emphasized calligraphic technique, along with purity and cleanliness in mood. Painting became a vehicle of intellectual and emotional self-expression for the artist as well as an object of aesthetic contemplation for the viewer.

1
5
0
0

A
D

1500 AD
MING
DYNASTY
1368.1644 AD

The Ming Dynasty was founded by
the peasant-born Hong Wu. He began
the much-needed agrarian reform in China.
Defensive measures included the replace-
ment of the Great Wall with a fortified wall
of solid masonry. Although plagued by
factionalism in the courts, the arts
flourished. Many forms of artistry reached
new heights of achievement during the Ming
Dynasty, including: temple design, embroidered
silks, lacquer ware and porcelain, sandalwood
carvings, and even the novel, plays, operas,
music and poetry
.

 

1
8
0
0

A
D

1800AD
QING
DYNASTY

1644.1911AD


The Qing Dynasty was the second era of foreign
rule in Chinese history. Despite political turmoil
which eventually led to the Chinese Republic in
1911, the Qing era maintained the Ming tradition
of superiority in the arts. The ceramics industry
expanded and produced a variety of porcelains for
European consumption while technical virtuosity
and artistry were unmatched in works of jade, silk
tapestry and embroidery.

 

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