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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  • CHINESE SUNG EARTHENWARE
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    $300 - $400

    CHINESE SUNG EARTHENWARE

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    $300 - $400
    Wiederseim Associates, Inc....
    0 Bids
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    $150
  • 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
  • Chinese Enamel Jewelry Box
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    $600 - $800

    Chinese Enamel Jewelry Box

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    $600 - $800
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $400
  • Large Chinese Porcelain Stool
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    $1,500 - $2,500

    Large Chinese Porcelain Stool

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    $1,500 - $2,500
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    Starting Bid
    $900
  • Large Chinese Porcelain Vase
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    $2,800 - $4,500

    Large Chinese Porcelain Vase

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    $2,800 - $4,500
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $2,200
  • Chinese Closene Enamel Vase
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    $400 - $600

    Chinese Closene Enamel Vase

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    $400 - $600
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $200
  • Pair of Chinese Porcelain Plates
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    $300 - $500

    Pair of Chinese Porcelain Plates

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    $300 - $500
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $150
  • Chinese Oval Snuff Bottle
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    $300 - $400

    Chinese Oval Snuff Bottle

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    $300 - $400
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $200
  • Large Chinese Porcelain Stool
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    $1,500 - $2,500

    Large Chinese Porcelain Stool

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    $1,500 - $2,500
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $900
  • Chinese Oval Snuff Bottle Enamel
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    $400 - $500

    Chinese Oval Snuff Bottle Enamel

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    $400 - $500
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $200
  • Chinese Chinoiserie Enamelware Egg With Stand
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    $400 - $600

    Chinese Chinoiserie Enamelware Egg With Stand

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    $400 - $600
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $200
  • Vintage Chinese Figural Decorative Board
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    $2,500 - $3,500

    Vintage Chinese Figural Decorative Board

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    $2,500 - $3,500
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $1,800
  • Pair of Chinese Porcelain Figures
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    $600 - $800

    Pair of Chinese Porcelain Figures

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    $600 - $800
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $300
  • Chinese Lapis lazuli figure of a buddha
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    $1,500 - $2,000

    Chinese Lapis lazuli figure of a buddha

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    $1,500 - $2,000
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $700
  • Chinese Lapis lazuli figure of a buddha
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    $1,500 - $2,000

    Chinese Lapis lazuli figure of a buddha

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    $1,500 - $2,000
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $700
  • A LARGE CHINESE PORCELAIN SOUP LIDDED BOWL
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    $600 - $1,500

    A LARGE CHINESE PORCELAIN SOUP LIDDED BOWL

    Est.
    $600 - $1,500
    Antique Kingdom Inc.
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    $350
  • Antique Chinese Fine silver filigree box zitan, turquoise, coral
    Price$475

    Antique Chinese Fine silver filigree box zitan, turquoi...

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $475
  • Pair Of Chinese Pottery Miniature Vases
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    $500 - $600

    Pair Of Chinese Pottery Miniature Vases

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    $500 - $600
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $250
  • A Pair of Monumental Chinese Bone Vases/Urns
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    $5,000 - $12,000

    A Pair of Monumental Chinese Bone Vases/Urns

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    $5,000 - $12,000
    Antique Kingdom Inc.
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    $2,500
  • 19th C. Chinese Porcelain Figure
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    $600 - $800

    19th C. Chinese Porcelain Figure

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    $600 - $800
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $500
  • A Famous Chinese Tang Horse Bronze Sculpture
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    $700 - $1,200

    A Famous Chinese Tang Horse Bronze Sculpture

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    $700 - $1,200
    Antique Kingdom Inc.
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    Starting Bid
    $600
  • Large Chinese Vase Oriental Oriental Floral Porcelain Glazed
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    $3,000 - $5,000

    Large Chinese Vase Oriental Oriental Floral Porcelain G...

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    $3,000 - $5,000
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $1,500
  • Chinese Pottery Sculpture Figural Monkey & Bird Candlestick
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    $600 - $800

    Chinese Pottery Sculpture Figural Monkey & Bird Candles...

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    $600 - $800
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $300
  • Antique Chinese Figural And Nature Bamboo Brush Pot Holder
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    $400 - $600

    Antique Chinese Figural And Nature Bamboo Brush Pot Hol...

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $200
  • A Large Chinese Bronze Samovar, Signed, 18th C.
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    $12,000 - $15,000

    A Large Chinese Bronze Samovar, Signed, 18th C.

    Est.
    $12,000 - $15,000
    Antique Kingdom Inc.
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    $6,000
  • Pair of 19th C. Chinese Rose Medallion Vases
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    $2,000 - $3,000

    Pair of 19th C. Chinese Rose Medallion Vases

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

    Late 19th C. French and Chinese Porcelain Chinoiserie

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    $6,500 - $9,250
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $4,000
  • Pair Of Chinese Sterling Silver open salt dish Swans
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    $600 - $800

    Pair Of Chinese Sterling Silver open salt dish Swans

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    $600 - $800
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $350
  • 19th C. Hand Painted Inside, Chinese Snuff Bottle
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    $300 - $400

    19th C. Hand Painted Inside, Chinese Snuff Bottle

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    $300 - $400
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $250
  • 20th C. Chinese Porcelain Group, Guanyin Standing On A Shachihoko
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    $1,000 - $1,500

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

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    $1,000 - $1,500
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $700
  • 19th C. Chinese Soap Stone Carving Seal Stamp
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    $6,000 - $8,000

    19th C. Chinese Soap Stone Carving Seal Stamp

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    $6,000 - $8,000
    Prime Auction Gallery
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    $3,500
  • 19th C. Chinese Hand Painted Rose Porcelain Bowl Centerpiece
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    $1,500 - $2,500

    19th C. Chinese Hand Painted Rose Porcelain Bowl Center...

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    $1,500 - $2,500
    Antique Kingdom Inc.
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    $1,200
  • Early 20th C. Hand Crafted Silver Chinese Cloisonne Horse Figurine
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    $3,000 - $5,000

    Early 20th C. Hand Crafted Silver Chinese Cloisonne Hor...

    Est.
    $3,000 - $5,000
    Prime Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
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    $2,500
  • Rare antique Japanese carved wood Helmet
    Price$950

    Rare antique Japanese carved wood Helmet

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $950
  • TWO PORCELAIN TEMPLE JARS
    Estimate
    $300 - $400

    TWO PORCELAIN TEMPLE JARS

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    $300 - $400
    Wiederseim Associates, Inc....
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    $150
  • ASIAN LOT
    Estimate
    $50 - $100

    ASIAN LOT

    Est.
    $50 - $100
    Wiederseim Associates, Inc....
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $25
  • MASSIVE POTTERY JAR
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    MASSIVE POTTERY JAR

    Est.
    $500 - $700
    Wiederseim Associates, Inc....
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $250
  • Chinese Decorative Arts Summer 1997, Magazine by D. Leidy
    Estimate
    $10 - $200

    Chinese Decorative Arts Summer 1997, Magazine by D. Lei...

    Est.
    $10 - $200
    Lion and Unicorn
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    $1
  • Chinese Paper Cutting Art Framed
    Estimate
    $10 - $200

    Chinese Paper Cutting Art Framed

    Est.
    $10 - $200
    Lion and Unicorn
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    $1
  • Chinese Export famille rose charger
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500

    Chinese Export famille rose charger

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
    Millea Bros. Ltd.
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $500
  • Pair of Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plates, Annesley
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $4,000

    Pair of Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plates, Annes...

    Est.
    $2,000 - $4,000
    Brunk Auctions
    0 Bids
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    $1,000
  • LARGE CHINESE CELADON 'LOTUS' CHARGER
    Estimate
    $300 - $600

    LARGE CHINESE CELADON 'LOTUS' CHARGER

    Est.
    $300 - $600
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
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    $250
  • Chinese Carved Jade Amulet
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    $300 - $600

    Chinese Carved Jade Amulet

    Est.
    $300 - $600
    Associated Estate & Apprais...
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    $200
  • Chinese Carved Jade Fish
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    $200 - $400

    Chinese Carved Jade Fish

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Associated Estate & Apprais...
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Mirror Black Glazed Vase
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Mirror Black Glazed Vase

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Associated Estate & Apprais...
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Famille Rose Bud Vase
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Famille Rose Bud Vase

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Associated Estate & Apprais...
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Pewter Encased Teapot
    Estimate
    $300 - $600

    Chinese Pewter Encased Teapot

    Est.
    $300 - $600
    Associated Estate & Apprais...
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Chinese Zisha Teapot with Foliate Decoration
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Chinese Zisha Teapot with Foliate Decoration

    Est.
    $100 - $200
    Associated Estate & Apprais...
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $50