CHINA - Palata umetnosti Madlena

Shang Dynasty; Ming Dynasty; Qing Dynasty

The setting symbolizes a reflection of thousands of years of Chinese artistic skill, exceptionally rich and diverse both in terms of processing technique and use of materials, imbued by new accents of contemporary life. Numerous professional craftsmen carried their experience from generation to generation were specialized in processing ivory engravings, jade, woodwork, varnished wood with inlays, and silk fabrics. Pottery was an important art in the lives of the Chinese. Unprecedented in their skill of combining the beautiful and the useful, in the traditional tea-drinking ritual and in all other domestic activities, they decorated their homes with a sophisticated form of pottery – china.

The Ming Dynasty was the ruling dynasty of China – known at the time as the empire of the Great Ming – in the course of 276 years (1368–1644 AD). It was founded by Chu-Yuan-Chang, the rebel leader who managed to topple the Mongol reign. Chinese control was re-established in China and in East Asia. Literature became more important, schools were founded, and the judicial system was reformed. Some describe the Ming Dynasty as “one of the greatest eras of organized governance and social stability in history”. Besides, this was the last dynasty in China in which the rulers were ethnic Han Chinese. The Oriental Collection includes several exhibits from the time of this dynasty.