Chinese Ceramics is a predominant section of Chinese culture early and widely known in the world. In accordance with the world archeology, Chinese ceramics have been explored and discovered in many areas and countries. Especially in Europe, Chinese ceramics used to be considered as rare treasures. It was even served as the standard or evidence to judge a person’s social status and family background. Especially in France, a nationwide infatuation to Chinese ceramics brought the large-scale collection and show-off of Chinese ceramics, including their aristocrats and authorities of government.

The history of Chinese ceramics can be traced back to over ten thousand years ago. During the Yangshao culture of the Neolithic age, earthenware with color decoration as well as red or white-bodied ware were made, and later in the Longshan culture, production of black ware flourished.

In the Shang dynasty, ash-glazed ware which are also known as proto celadon began to appear and from the end of the Spring and Autumn period to the Warring States period, hard-bodied, high-fired pottery with impressed decoration and ash-glazed ware were fired.

In the Shang dynasty, ash-glazed ware which are also known as proto celadon began to appear and from the end of the Spring and Autumn period to the Warring States period, hard-bodied, high-fired pottery with impressed decoration and ash-glazed ware were fired. By the Warring States period, gray ware with or without color decoration were produced in large quantities, one of the leading examples being the terracotta warriors excavated from the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuangdi. While low-fired lead-glazed ware, primarily funerary objects, developed during the Eastern Han dynasty, genuine celadon began to be fired at Yue kiln in northern Zhejiang Province, which later from the Three Kingdoms to the Southern Dynasties developed into its own distinctive form. In northern China, lead-glazed ware and celadon were produced during the Northern Dynasty.

In the Northern Qi dynasty, lead-glazed ware including the two-colored ware in which a green glaze was poured over a yellow-glazed base, and the well-known three-colored ware were fired, while some other examples that indicate the birth of white porcelain were also observed.

Since Han Dynasty, Silk Road served as the channel for Sino-foreign cultural and business exchange, and China used to be impressed as Silk Kingdom. Entering the Middle Ages, China was world famous as Ceramic Kingdom when Chinese ceramics were largely welcomed in other countries.

Dated from the end of the 8th century, Chinese ceramics begun the overseas business. The major ceramic products were Three-Color Ceramics, White Ceramics and Green Ceramics. Another important channel was called Oceanic Silk Road. In the light of the historic record and archeologist’s latest discovery, a large number of ceramics were transported via seaway started from Yangzhou, Ningbo, Quanzhou and Guangzhou. Additionally Zheng He’s Occidental Trip by fleet was also a big historic event to the world spread of Chinese ceramics.