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”.
116944 Results
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  • Chinese cloisonne enamel cache pot
    Estimate
    $600 - $1,200

    Chinese cloisonne enamel cache pot

    Est.
    $600 - $1,200
    Pook & Pook Inc
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Pair of Chinese export porcelain temple jars
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200

    Pair of Chinese export porcelain temple jars

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
    Pook & Pook Inc
    2 Bids
    Current Bid
    $500
  • Chinese Chien Yao glazed conjoined three-part vase
    Estimate
    $400 - $500

    Chinese Chien Yao glazed conjoined three-part vase

    Est.
    $400 - $500
    Pook & Pook Inc
    2 Bids
    Current Bid
    $250
  • Chinese enamel and silver libation cup, early 19th c.
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Chinese enamel and silver libation cup, early 19th c.

    Est.
    $200 - $300
    Pook & Pook Inc
    2 Bids
    Current Bid
    $150
  • Three Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Table Objects
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    Three Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Table Objects

    Est.
    $500 - $700
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Group of Four Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Table Objects
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    Group of Four Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Table O...

    Est.
    $500 - $700
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plate, Curtis and Wildbore
    Estimate
    $600 - $900

    Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plate, Curtis and Wil...

    Est.
    $600 - $900
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plate, Gibbon
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plate, Gibbon

    Est.
    $500 - $700
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plate, Fenwick
    Estimate
    $600 - $900

    Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plate, Fenwick

    Est.
    $600 - $900
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plate, Fazakerley
    Estimate
    $600 - $900

    Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plate, Fazakerley

    Est.
    $600 - $900
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Soup Plate, Martin
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Soup Plate, Martin

    Est.
    $500 - $700
    Brunk Auctions
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $250
  • Three Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Tea Bowls, One Pair
    Estimate
    $600 - $900

    Three Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Tea Bowls, One ...

    Est.
    $600 - $900
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Two Chinese Export Porcelain Platters, Armorial and Monogram
    Estimate
    $600 - $900

    Two Chinese Export Porcelain Platters, Armorial and Mon...

    Est.
    $600 - $900
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Soup Plate, Stanley and Granville
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Soup Plate, Stanley a...

    Est.
    $500 - $700
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Two Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plates, Radcliffe, Bishopton, and Aston
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    Two Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plates, Radcliffe...

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $500
  • Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Guglet, Praed, Mackworth, Slaney, and Stokes
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Guglet, Praed, Mackwo...

    Est.
    $500 - $700
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plate, Tea Bowl, and Saucer, Lee and Astley
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,500

    Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plate, Tea Bowl, and ...

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,500
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $750
  • Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Octagonal Soup Plate, Pope
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Octagonal Soup Plate,...

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Brunk Auctions
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $100
  • Group of Eight Chinese Porcelain Table Objects
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Group of Eight Chinese Porcelain Table Objects

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Soup Plate, French
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Soup Plate, French

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Soup Plate, Sneyd and Edmonds
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200

    Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Soup Plate, Sneyd and...

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $400
  • Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plate, Poley (or Griffiths) and Coffin
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plate, Poley (or Grif...

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Brunk Auctions
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Soup Bowl, Verney and Heath
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Soup Bowl, Verney and...

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
    Brunk Auctions
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $500
  • Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Soup Bowl, Wearg, Montague, and Monthermer
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200

    Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Soup Bowl, Wearg, Mon...

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $400
  • Group of Five Chinese Export Porcelain Table Objects
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Group of Five Chinese Export Porcelain Table Objects

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Group of Six Chinese Export Porcelain Table Objects
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Group of Six Chinese Export Porcelain Table Objects

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Group of Nine Chinese Export Porcelain Table Objects
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Group of Nine Chinese Export Porcelain Table Objects

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Pair of Chinese Export Palace Ware Rockefeller Pattern Tea Bowls and Saucers
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,500

    Pair of Chinese Export Palace Ware Rockefeller Pattern ...

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,500
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $750
  • Chinese Export Porcelain Plate, Judgment of Paris
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Export Porcelain Plate, Judgment of Paris

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Brunk Auctions
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Export Blue and White Rabbit Hunters Porcelain Plate
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Chinese Export Blue and White Rabbit Hunters Porcelain ...

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Chinese Export Porcelain Cider Jug
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Chinese Export Porcelain Cider Jug

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Chinese Export tempera on textile, Exhibited
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Chinese Export tempera on textile, Exhibited

    Est.
    $600 - $800
    Millea Bros. Ltd.
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Orange Fitzhugh Chinese Export Porcelain Platter with Centered Eagle
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $4,000

    Orange Fitzhugh Chinese Export Porcelain Platter with C...

    Est.
    $2,000 - $4,000
    Brunk Auctions
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $1,000
  • Chinese and Himalayan School, (3) artworks
    Estimate
    $250 - $350

    Chinese and Himalayan School, (3) artworks

    Est.
    $250 - $350
    Millea Bros. Ltd.
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $125
  • Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Charger for the Dutch Market, Arms of Jacob Pelgrom
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,000

    Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Charger for the Dutch...

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,000
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $750
  • Chinese Bowls
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Chinese Bowls

    Est.
    $100 - $200
    Kodner Galleries
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • Chinese Articles
    Estimate
    $150 - $300

    Chinese Articles

    Est.
    $150 - $300
    Kodner Galleries
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $75
  • (2) CHINESE FLAMBE-GLAZED PORCELAIN VASES
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    (2) CHINESE FLAMBE-GLAZED PORCELAIN VASES

    Est.
    $500 - $700
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • CHINESE FLAMBE-GLAZED PORCELAIN LOBED VASE
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    CHINESE FLAMBE-GLAZED PORCELAIN LOBED VASE

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Austin Auction Gallery
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $100
  • (2) CHINESE PORCELAIN FANGHU-FORM VASES
    Estimate
    $150 - $250

    (2) CHINESE PORCELAIN FANGHU-FORM VASES

    Est.
    $150 - $250
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Chinese embroidered accessories, Exhibited
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Chinese embroidered accessories, Exhibited

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    Millea Bros. Ltd.
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Chinese embroidered silk robe, Exhibited
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Chinese embroidered silk robe, Exhibited

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Millea Bros. Ltd.
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Pair Chinese "Monkey King" jars and covers
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Pair Chinese "Monkey King" jars and covers

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    Millea Bros. Ltd.
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Chinese Celadon Crackle Glaze Vase
    Estimate
    $100 - $300

    Chinese Celadon Crackle Glaze Vase

    Est.
    $100 - $300
    Kodner Galleries
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • Chinese, Tibetan and Indian mixed metalware group
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Chinese, Tibetan and Indian mixed metalware group

    Est.
    $200 - $300
    Millea Bros. Ltd.
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Openwork Carved Bridges
    Estimate
    $150 - $300

    Chinese Openwork Carved Bridges

    Est.
    $150 - $300
    Kodner Galleries
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $75
  • (3) Antique Chinese and Japanese trousse cases
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    (3) Antique Chinese and Japanese trousse cases

    Est.
    $200 - $300
    Millea Bros. Ltd.
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • (2) CHINESE BLACK-GLAZED PORCELAIN PLANTERS /  POTS
    Estimate
    $80 - $150

    (2) CHINESE BLACK-GLAZED PORCELAIN PLANTERS / POTS

    Est.
    $80 - $150
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $50