宋代陶瓷
SONG CERAMICS

The Muwen Tang Collection Series Vol. 11
592 pages, all text bilingual in English and Chinese, over 1000 illustrations, all plates in colour, hardcover, cloth. Hong Kong, 2012.
ISBN: 978-988-19940-1-1

by Li Zhiyan, Simon Kwan

Song ceramics has endured the test of time to stay as the highest achievement in the history of Chinese ceramic art. 205 pieces of Song Ceramics from the Muwen Tang Collection were selected for exhibition at the Hong Kong Museum of Art in 1994. Catalogue of the exhibition entitled: “Song Ceramics from the Kwan Collection” was sold out shortly afterwards, and was out of print since then. The present volume is a completely revised and re-photographed catalogue of 262 outstanding examples of Song, Liao, Jin and Yuan ceramics in the Collection, supplemented by research material on dating and kiln attribution of all the pieces.

Introductory essay written by Mr. Li Zhiyan, leading Chinese expert in the field, out-lined the history, special features, technical innovations and artistic achievements of all major kilns of the period. Numerous shards personally collected by Mr. Li at the kiln site are also illustrated in the book.

This book is probably one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date reference materials on Song ceramics not to be missed by any collector of Chinese art.