The Ancient Arts of China

Ni Hao (hello) from China: enjoy your tour here.

This country, unlike others has not been colonised by other races which has allowed it to have a continuous history of art which is distinctive and known throughout the word.

Rock art or so-called Stone Age art is considered the earliest however the time lines do not match with this developing to more advanced art.

Bronzes, silk, painting, pottery and performing arts also date to the earliest times and were all practised so it seems the knowledge of art was inherent and known to the early inhabitants.

The arts became more sophisticated as technology improved with the advancement of civilisation through a series of dynasties and religious beliefs.

Hâng art was itself the natural outcome of a primeval Chinese culture, which had culminated under the Shu dynasty B.C. 1122 to B.C. 221, and its idea may be broadly termed Confucian.

The supreme canon of life was the self-sacrifice of the individual to the community, and art was prized for its service to the moral deeds of society.

Music, was placed in the highest rank, its special function being to harmonise men with men, and communities with communities.

Poetry, in like manner, was regarded as a means of conducing to political harmony. It was not the province of the prince to command, but to suggest, nor the aim of the subject to remonstrate, but to hint, and of all this poetry was the recognised medium.

Painting was held in esteem for its inculcation of the practice of virtue and in the act of personal enjoyment.

Ceramics had the Taoist mind of playful individualism, and Buddhism progressed to lift it up to the expression of commanding ideals.

The architecture is characterised by gigantic palaces, adorned with caryatid pillars and profuse carving, representative chiefly of the moral life.

Stupendous towers, and great structures in wood and brick, were erected by the successors of the Shin.

Arts - Crafts - Gifts - Posters

• Chinese Art Store The Chinese Art Store Web site offers you one of the most extensive collections of Chinese art available online. Our Chinese art collection includes wall scrolls, watercolor paintings, calligraphy and too many other artworks to list here on this page.
• Artistic Chinese Creations We are professional craft artists. It is a great joy of life to us. We want to share this kind of pleasure with more people and let them know the traditional crafts of China
• Chinese Calligraphy Store is an art gallery offering a large collection of Chinese calligraphy symbol paintings and other art, get your name done in Chinese characters.
• Chinese Jade Jewellery Store offers one of the finest collections of Chinese jade jewelry available online. Many items we offer are one-of-a-kind and handmade in China by skilled artisans.
• Posters and Prints of Chinese art and culture can be viewed here, just type in your preference in the search box on this page,