Chinese Art

China is a vast geopolitical region, whose boundaries have changed over the course of centuries with a wide range of ethnicities, religions, time zones, historical ruling parties, and ecological environments within it. Consequently, Chinese art traditions over the course of three millennia have been fashioned just as rich and diverse typified by countless art forms, which, taken together, provide a glimpse into China's evolution. The Asian Works of Art Department at Bidsquare features a rich and diverse range of Chinese art from a range of centuries and dynasties. The Ancient Chinese Art for sale at online auctions offers works dating from the Neolithic Period through the 20th century, attracting large numbers of international collectors and bidders. Despite being geographically isolated, China is becoming one of the world's major drivers of art. 

Ancient Chinese Art

Chinese art can be broadly classified into three areas of artistic expression - works created for courtly cultural elites, Buddhist artworks, and those created for burial practices. No matter where or when, and for what purpose it was produced, there are certain qualities inherent in Chinese art that make describing and recognizing it in general terms, irrespective of continuous technological advances, changes of materials and tastes, and the influence of foreign ideas. Among these traits are an affinity for nature, an appreciation for creativity, an understanding of the moral and educational values of art, an awareness of and appreciation for brushwork, and an affinity for popular motifs and designs such as lotus leaves and dragons. 

Chinese culture is largely influenced by three main worldviews - Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. Here we explore some of this ancient country's most important contributions to art, from ancient pottery and ceramics to calligraphy and other artwork created by artists through the numerous Dynasties shaping the Chinese art culture.

Neolithic Pottery

One of the early forms of art in China is Neolithic pottery, which includes ceramic pieces, crafted from around the tenth to second millennium. Though the early pieces of this genre were unpainted, the latter part of the Neolithic era witnessed painted ceramic works with distinctively patterned imprints found in the Neolithic Yangshao culture dating back to the fifth millennium. 

Jade Culture

Another popular handicraft from Neolithic China was jade, the luminous green mineral that was regarded as a symbol of wisdom, bravery, and purity in ancient China. This “imperial gem” became the staple in several Chinese cultures and was used to create a range of objects, such as tools as well as the cong cylinders and Bi discs that were symbolic of the earth and heaven. Several jade artifacts were influenced by the two mythical creatures considered divine in ancient China, the dragon, and the phoenix. 

Calligraphy

Calligraphy and Painting were highly valued arts in ancient China. Most of these works reflect the perfection and sensibilities of the amateurs, aristocrats, and scholars to create great brushwork. Calligraphy was thought to be the purest form of painting and was appreciated for its subtle beauty since the Shang dynasty (1.6 - 1.1 millennium), reaching its ethereal beauty until the 4th century CE. 

Painting

Ancient Chinese painting developed significantly during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1644 CE) owing to the development of different schools and styles of painting, many of which date back to the Song and Yuan dynasties (960-1368 CE). The Ming and Qing period witnessed the emergence of great masters from the prolific painting schools, reaching the pinnacle of development.

Quick Facts about Chinese Art

  • The Ancient Chinese made silk from the cocoons of silkworms.
  • Due to its origin in China, Porcelain is often referred to as “China”.
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  • Pair of Chinese Porcelain Plates
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Pair of Chinese Porcelain Plates

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Chinese Enamel Jewelry Box
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Chinese Enamel Jewelry Box

    Est.
    $600 - $800
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $400
  • Large Chinese Porcelain Vase
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,500

    Large Chinese Porcelain Vase

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,500
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $900
  • Large Chinese Porcelain Stool
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,500

    Large Chinese Porcelain Stool

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,500
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $900
  • Chinese Oval Snuff Bottle
    Estimate
    $300 - $400

    Chinese Oval Snuff Bottle

    Est.
    $300 - $400
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Chinese Closene Enamel Vase
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Chinese Closene Enamel Vase

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Large Chinese Porcelain Stool
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,500

    Large Chinese Porcelain Stool

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,500
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $900
  • Large Chinese Porcelain Vase
    Estimate
    $2,800 - $4,500

    Large Chinese Porcelain Vase

    Est.
    $2,800 - $4,500
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $2,200
  • Chinese Cloisonne enamel charger Plate
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Chinese Cloisonne enamel charger Plate

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Chinese Oval Snuff Bottle Enamel
    Estimate
    $400 - $500

    Chinese Oval Snuff Bottle Enamel

    Est.
    $400 - $500
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Chinese Brass Cedar Line Box
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Brass Cedar Line Box

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Bonn Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Vintage Chinese Figural Decorative Board
    Estimate
    $2,500 - $3,500

    Vintage Chinese Figural Decorative Board

    Est.
    $2,500 - $3,500
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $1,800
  • Chinese Carved Amethyst Guan Yin
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Chinese Carved Amethyst Guan Yin

    Est.
    $600 - $800
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $400
  • Pair of Chinese Porcelain Figures
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Pair of Chinese Porcelain Figures

    Est.
    $600 - $800
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Chinese Chinoiserie Enamelware Egg With Stand
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Chinese Chinoiserie Enamelware Egg With Stand

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Chinese Lapis lazuli figure of a buddha
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,000

    Chinese Lapis lazuli figure of a buddha

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,000
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $700
  • Chinese Lapis lazuli figure of a buddha
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,000

    Chinese Lapis lazuli figure of a buddha

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,000
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $700
  • 19th C. Chinese Porcelain Figure
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    19th C. Chinese Porcelain Figure

    Est.
    $600 - $800
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $500
  • Pair Of Chinese Pottery Miniature Vases
    Estimate
    $500 - $600

    Pair Of Chinese Pottery Miniature Vases

    Est.
    $500 - $600
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Large Chinese Vase Oriental Oriental Floral Porcelain Glazed
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $5,000

    Large Chinese Vase Oriental Oriental Floral Porcelain G...

    Est.
    $3,000 - $5,000
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $1,500
  • Chinese Inside Hand Painted Snuff Glass Bottle
    Estimate
    $500 - $600

    Chinese Inside Hand Painted Snuff Glass Bottle

    Est.
    $500 - $600
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Chinese Soapstone Figural Carving of a Man
    Estimate
    $500 - $800

    Chinese Soapstone Figural Carving of a Man

    Est.
    $500 - $800
    Bonn Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Pair of 19th C. Chinese Rose Medallion Vases
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $3,000

    Pair of 19th C. Chinese Rose Medallion Vases

    Est.
    $2,000 - $3,000
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $1,200
  • Late 19th C. French and Chinese Porcelain Chinoiserie
    Estimate
    $6,500 - $9,250

    Late 19th C. French and Chinese Porcelain Chinoiserie

    Est.
    $6,500 - $9,250
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $4,000
  • Pair Of Chinese Sterling Silver open salt dish Swans
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Pair Of Chinese Sterling Silver open salt dish Swans

    Est.
    $600 - $800
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $350
  • 19th C. Hand Painted Inside, Chinese Snuff Bottle
    Estimate
    $300 - $400

    19th C. Hand Painted Inside, Chinese Snuff Bottle

    Est.
    $300 - $400
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • 19th C. Chinese Soap Stone Carving Seal Stamp
    Estimate
    $6,000 - $8,000

    19th C. Chinese Soap Stone Carving Seal Stamp

    Est.
    $6,000 - $8,000
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $3,500
  • 20th C. Chinese Porcelain Group, Guanyin Standing On A Shachihoko
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500

    20th C. Chinese Porcelain Group, Guanyin Standing On A ...

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $700
  • Chinese Blue and White Porcelain
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Blue and White Porcelain

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Vase
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Vase

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Chinese Celadon Decorative Objects
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Celadon Decorative Objects

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Porcelain Decorative Objects
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Chinese Porcelain Decorative Objects

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bowl
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bowl

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Chinese Porcelain Vase Assortment
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Porcelain Vase Assortment

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Plates
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Plates

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Cups
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Cups

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bowl
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bowl

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Gilt Wood Panel Assortment
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Chinese Gilt Wood Panel Assortment

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Chinese Ru Style Glazed Pottery
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Chinese Ru Style Glazed Pottery

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Chinese Ming Dynasty Terracotta Attendant Figures
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,000

    Chinese Ming Dynasty Terracotta Attendant Figures

    Est.
    $800 - $1,000
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $400
  • Chinese Porcelain Stem Cup and Bowl
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Chinese Porcelain Stem Cup and Bowl

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Chinese Porcelain Water Pot and Vase
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Chinese Porcelain Water Pot and Vase

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Chinese Blue White Porcelain Snuff Bottles (2)
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Blue White Porcelain Snuff Bottles (2)

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    North American Auction Comp...
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Dragon Moonflask Vase
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Dragon Moonflask Vase

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Leonard Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Chinese Carved Bamboo Figure of Shoulao Ca. 1900, H 10.7" Dia. 6"
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Chinese Carved Bamboo Figure of Shoulao Ca. 1900, H 10....

    Est.
    $200 - $300
    DuMouchelles
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • CHINESE PORCELAIN FISHBOWL PLANTER
    Estimate
    $150 - $250

    CHINESE PORCELAIN FISHBOWL PLANTER

    Est.
    $150 - $250
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • CHINESE CARVED NEPHRITE JADE BI
    Estimate
    $150 - $350

    CHINESE CARVED NEPHRITE JADE BI

    Est.
    $150 - $350
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Antique Carved Wooden Box
    Estimate
    $300 - $600

    Chinese Antique Carved Wooden Box

    Est.
    $300 - $600
    Blackwell Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150