The earliest group of pottery unearthed in Henan was produced as early as 8000 years ago. From the primitive society to the period of the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, pottery and porcelain had fulfilled their fundamental functions as utensils for preserving, containing, drinking, cooking, religion and art.

Major exhibits:

Pottery ding with nipple-shaped patterns

Peiligang culture

Unearthed from Peiligang, Xinzheng

Colored pottery twin-ewer

Yangshao culture

Unearthed from Dahecun, Zhengzhou

Primitive porcelain zun, wine vessel

Shang Dynasty Unearthed from Zhengzhou

Pottery duck

Warring States period

2. The Grand style of the Han and Tang Dynasties

During the Han and Tang Dynasties, while consummating the pragmatic functions of pottery and porcelain, people began to put emphasis on portraying scenes of life. They produced vivid art works of manors, servants, officials, warriors, poultry and livestock etc. When they died, these works of art would be buried into their tombs so that they could fulfill their long-cherished wishes in the nether world. The burial objects displayed here represent the features of the grand style of the prosperous Han and Tang Dynasties.

Major exhibits:

Six-storeyed pottery joint building

Han Dynasty Unearthed from Jiaozuo

Green-glazed pottery figurines playing Liu-bo game

Han Dynasty Unearthed from Jiyuan

Tri-colored camel and groom

Tang Dynasty Unearthed from Luoyang

Tri-colored duck-shaped pot

3. Secularism and Rationalism

During the Song, Jin and Yuan Dynasties, ceramic wares on the one hand followed the style of simple popular culture; on the other hand, influenced by the idealist philosophy of that time, tried hard to express the intrinsic charm of the utensils themselves. In Henan, the Jun ware kiln, Ru ware kiln and Guan ware kiln led the porcelain industry in China at that time. Kilns in such places as Hebi, Dengfeng, Mixian and Lushan, each possessing distinguishing features of its own, promoted the pottery and porcelain industry of China to a new high.

Major exhibits:

Goose-necked vase with floral designs, official Ru ware

Song Dynasty Unearthed from Baofeng

White porcelain Meiping with black floral designs

Song Dynasty Unearthed from Zhenping

Painted male figurine

Jin dynasty Unearthed from Jiaozuo

4. Colorful World

During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, new achievements were made in the arts and crafts of porcelain-making. Underglaze blue, wucai, doucai, fencai and other color porcelain wares were brightly gorgeous. Porcelain wares of this period are rich in expression, either as articles used for offering birthday congratulations, praying for blessings and other events, or as art works in the form of flowers and plants etc. They possess great ornamental value.

Major exhibits:

Big dish with twining lotus leaves in underglaze blue

Ming Dynasty        Collected

Fencai dou (food vessel with lid) with a design of clouds and bats