Modern humans (Homo sapiens) arrived in China by 75,000 BCE (as compared with 35,000 BCE for Europe) and so China has a long history of art. Shown below are some photos of the Chinese art on display in the Portland (Oregon) Art Museum.
The caparisoned horse shown above dates to the Sui (581-618 CE) to early Tang dynasty (618-907 CE). In 581 CE Sui Wendi (隋文帝) established the short-lived Sui Dynasty. Many historians call him the great unifier of China. His successor, Sui Yangdi (隋煬)exhausted the state treasury on public works and unsuccessful military enterprises. The Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) is generally considered the second great dynasty. During this time China unified a vast territory and spread its culture into surrounding states and peoples.
The polo players shown above date to the Tang Dynasty.
The Heavenly Kings shown above are guardian figures which date to the Tang Dynasty.
The caparisoned horse shown above dates to the Tang Dynasty.
The Bactrian camel shown above dates to the Tang Dynasty. It is earthenware with a three color glaze.
The large storage jar shown above dates to the Warring States period (475 to 221 BCE).
The large storage jar with animal-mask handles is an example of some of the earliest deliberately glazed Chinese ceramic wares. Potters had noticed that when wood ash in the kiln fell on the surface of a vessel, it fused with the clay surface to produce a natural glaze. In this jar, which dates to the Han Dynasty, the glaze was made from wood ash, water, and clay.
The deep bowl with stylized rabbit and floral designs shown above dates to the Late Ming (1368 to 1644) or early Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1911).
Welcome to Street Prophets Saturday. This is an open thread. Feel free to talk about art (Chinese or otherwise), politics, religion, the weather, the environment, food, or anything else.