Book lists

Ayers, J. G. and others

'Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul'

London, 1986. 3 quarto vols.

This is the largest collection of Chinese wares from the late thirteenth century onwards, dominated by its blue and white, and celadon wares. A fully documented study of  the collection and its historical background, with about 4,000 pieces illustrated together with the marks and inscriptions. Very expensive but an essential reference work for a specialised area,

 

Beurdeley, M and C

'Chinese Ceramics' (Trans. Katherine Watson)

Thames & Hudson, London 1974.

A massive, expensive and lavishly illustrated general history. It unfortunately contains many historical and technical inaccuracies, but is useful for its illustration.

 

Brankston, A.J.

'Early Ming Wares from Ching-te-chen'

Peking, 1937.  Reprinted 1970.

An interesting account based on Chinese texts and connoisseurship. Unfortunately the sources are not as a rule quoted, so its value is limited.

 

Bushell, Stephen W.

'Chinese Pottery and Porcelain; being a translation of the T'ao-shuo'

Oxford University Press, Kuala Lumpur, 1977 (Reprint of  the original edition of 1910).

This was the first study by a Chinese author devoted exclusively to Chinese ceramics and reflects the scholar's attitude as it was in the 18th century. The translation is only moderately accurate, but the work is nevertheless valuable. Very important are the two letters of  Pere d'Entrecolles, of 1712 and 1722, which Bushell added as Appendices.

 

Bushell, Stephen W.

'Oriental Ceramic Art'

New York, 1899.  Reprinted.

Now largely out of date, but still important for Qing ceramics, and its

valuable translations of passages from Chinese texts.Bushell was the great pioneer.

 

Donnelly, P.J.

'Blanc de Chine'

Faber Monograph series, London, 1969.

The only publication on this subject, it is sadly marred by numerous inaccuracies and confusion.

 

Garner, Sir Harry M.

'Oriental Blue and White'

Faber Monograph series, London, 1970. 3rd edition.

This is a revised edition with a new enlarged introduction of a well-established standard work, invaluable as a starting point for all collectors of blue and white.

 

Goldschmidt, D. Lion

'Ming Porcelain'

Thames and Hudson, London, 1978.

This splendidly illustrated volume is essential for the study of Ming wares, and is particularly illuminating for those interested in stylistic development. A work of great refinement with many subtle insights.

 

Gompertz, G.St.G.M.

'Chinese Celadon Wares'

Faber Monograph Series, London 1980. Revised edition.

A standard work on a fascinating aspect by a specialist collector, better known for work on Korean ceramics.

 

Gray, B.

'Sung Pottery and Porcelain'

Faber Monograph series, London 1984.

knowledge up to date with the most recent Chinese research in the field.

 

Gyllensvard, B.

'Chinese Ceramics in the Carl Kempe Collection'

Stockholm, 1964.

A fully illustrated catalogue of a remarkable collection exceptionally strong in white wares. Some of the dating is unreliable.

 

Hayashiya S. and Hasebe Gakuji

'Chinese Ceramics'

Tokyo, 1966.

A general history of Chinese ceramics, amply illustrated, presents the Japanese approach to the subject.

 

Hobson, R.L

'A Catalogue of Chinese Pottery and Porcelain in the Collection of Sir Percival David, Bart.'

London, 1934.  Privately printed.

This rare, deluxe publication presents a selection of the great collection as it was in 1933, compiled by one of the great authorities on Chinese ceramics.

 

Hobson, R.L

'Catalogue of the George Eumorfopoulos Collection of Chinese and Korean Pottery and Porcelain'

London, 1925-28. 6 vols.

The catalogue of what was the greatest private collection of Chinese art ever made in the west. Some pieces would now be dismissed as late copies, or even fakes, but the work remains valuable for all types of Chinese ceramics.

 

Hobson, R.L.

'Chinese Pottery and Porcelain'

London, 1915. 2 vols. Now reprinted in 1 vol. New York, 1976.

Although now in many respects out of date, this remarkable work remains indispensible for the serious collector, with its many penetrating observations and sound scholarship.

 

Honey, W.B

'The Ceramic Art of China, and other countries of the Far East'

London, 1945.

A general survey, mainly aesthetic, written in a very individual style by a former Keeper of Ceramics at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Now rather out of date but still interesting.

 

Howard, David S.

'Chinese Armorial Porcelain'

Faber, London,  1974.

A standard work of immense value for reference. Excellently illustrated with a very readable text.

 

Jenyns, S.

'Later Chinese Porcelain'

Faber Monograph series, London, 1971.

A valuable work on a long and difficult period from the 17th century onward by an author with a highly idiosyncratic style, who draws the reader into discussion at every turn. Jenyns had access to many unusual Chinese texts and he raises historical points that are not found elsewhere. References should be carefully checked.

 

Jenyns, S.

'Ming Pottery and Porcelain'

Faber Monograph series, London, 1987. A new corrected edition.

A very idiosyncratic work of enormous interest, with much historical and other peripheral material of great value that is nowhere else available.

 

Medley, M.

'Yuan Porcelain and Stoneware'

Faber Monograph series, London, 1974.

The first comprehensive study of a much disputed period of unusual interest, when China was wide open to outside influences.

 

Medley, M.

'The Chinese Potter: A Practical History of Chinese Ceramics'

Oxford, 1976. Revised edition in paper-back 1980.

A basic introduction to the history and technology with a useful bibliography.

 

Medley, M.

'Tang Pottery and Porcelain'

Faber Monograph series, London, 1981.

A systematic study of the ceramic types of this rich and exciting period based on recent Chinese research.

 

Mino Yutaka

'Freedom of Clay and Brush through Seven Centuries in Northern China; Tz'u-chou Type Wares, 960 - 1600 A.D.'

Indianapolis Museum of Art, 1980-81.

The most important catalogue raisonnee ever published on this popular and varied ware. Meticulously documented and well illustrated with comparative material.

 

Oort, H.A. van

'The Porcelain of Hung-hsien'

Lochem, 1970.

A study of  the socio-cultural background and some characeristics of the porcelain produced at Jingdezhen under the self-appointed 'emperor' Yuan Shikai in  1916.

 

Oriental Ceramic Society of  Hong  Kong

'Jingdezhen Wares: The Yuan Evolution'

Hong Kong, 1984.

This is a catalogue of an important exhibition with a number of important introductory essays by well-known specialists such as Sir John Addis, M. Medley, M. Tregear etc.

 

Oriental Ceramic Society of  Hong  Kong

'Transitional Wares and Their Forerunners'

Hong Kong, 1981.

The catalogue of a very important exhibition of Chinese porcelains of the period from the late 16th century to about 1680. A series of interesting and valuable pioneering essays introduces much previously unpublished material.

 

Oriental Ceramic Society of  London

'Transactions of the  Oriental Ceramic Society'

London 1921 -

Now an annual publication, it includes many valuable scholarly papers on almost every aspect of Chinese ceramics and art generally.  Reduced prices for members of the Society, but individual numbers available from Philip Wilson Publishers.

 

Pope, J.A.

'Chinese Porcelains from the Ardebil Shrine'

Washington 1956, Reprinted London 1982.

The reprint is slightly revised and issued by Philip Wilson, Sotheby's Publications. It is an important pioneering study of an historic collection mainly of blue and white.

 

Pope, J.A.

'Fourteenth Century Blue and White in the Topkapu Serayi Muzesi,  Istanbul.'

Washington, 1970.

The first monograph on this material by an acknowledged authority.

It is mainly concerned with the identification of the decorative motifs.

 

Sato, M.

'Chinese Ceramics: A Short History'

New York & Tokyo, 1981.

A translation of Professor Sato's Chugoku Tojishi of 1979. Valuable because it reveals much of the Japanse approach. Sato is one of the foremost authorities in Japan in this field.

 

Volker, T.

'Porcelain and the Dutch East India Company'

Leiden, 1954.

An indispensible reference for collectors of seventeenth century Chinese export ware.

 

Watson, W.

'Tang and Liao Pottery'

London, 1984.

A comprehensive study of forms and kilns, with a discussion of decoration, preceded by a long  historical introduction. Not an easy book to use and often controversial. It is amply  documented, but almost exclusively from Chinese sources. Marred somewhat by some very bad  editorial work.

 

Wirgin, J.

'Sung Ceramic Design'

Stockholm, 1970.

A systematic study of the decorations and styles of Sung dynasty wares, with a tentative, but well-argued chronology. A very valuable work for anyone with a serious interest in this classic period. Numerous illustrations and line drawings.

Becker, Joanna 

'Karatsu: A Tradition of Diversity'

Kodansha International, New York, 1986.

Written with a deep appreciation of the ware by a practising potter.

 

 

Cort, Louise A. 'Shigaraku, Potter's Valley'

Kodansha International, Tokyo, New York etc., 1979.

A masterly and comprehensive study of one of the most attractive and widely used rough stonewares, which in recent times has been much refined. Both historic and modern wares

are covered.

 

Faulkner, R.F.J. and Impey, O.R.

'Shino and Oribe Kiln Sites'

Oxford, 1981.

The catalogue of a very interesting exhibition of sherds from Toki City, with a useful  introduction and good drawings of kilns. Well illustrated and has a useful bibliography together with three clear maps.

 

Fujioka, Ryoichi

'Shino and Oribe Ceramics'

(Japapnese Arts Lib.) Kodansha International, Tokyo, 1977.

A systematic study of two very popular wares by the former Curator of Ceramics at Kyoto National Museum. Excellent illustrations.

 

Gorham, Hazel

'Japanese and Oriental Ceramics'

Tuttle, Rutland, Vermont & Tokyo.

A fairly comprehensive handbook with short entries on wares, kilns,

decorations and marks. Illustrated entirely with line drawings. An index for quick reference. A large bibliography, but without any evaluations, so this needs careful use.

 

Jenyns, Soame 

'Japanese Porcelain'

Faber Monograph series, London, 1965.

A pioneering, slightly confused and confusing study, engagingly written. Datings and references  need careful checking. Despite shortcomings it is informative in many ways and includes interesting insights.

 

Jenyns, Soame 'Japanese Pottery'

Faber Monograph series, London 1971.

An ambitious study of traditional wares by this stimulating author. Values of sources, dating and references should be checked.

 

Kawahara, Masahiko

'The Ceramic Art of Ogata Kenzan'

(Japanese Arts Lib. vol. 13) Tokyo.

A well presented study with easily understood technical information. The author does not settle the dating satisfactorily, but the criteria are there.

 

Kodansha International 'Famous Ceramics of Japan'

Tokyo, 1981-84, 12 vols.

The series, with contributions by various authors, presents first-rate coloured illustration of the products of all the major kilns, each volume with a simple text introducing the ware. 

l. Nabeshima. 2. Agano and Takatori. 3. & 4. Folk Kilns. 5. Kakiemon. 6. Tokoname. 7. Oribe. 8. Karatsu. 9. Kiseto & Setoguro. 10. Hagi. 11. Shino.

 

Koyama, Fujio

'The Heritage of Japanese Ceramics.'

(Trans. John Figgess).

A general history by one of the foremost ceramics historians in Japan, who was also a potter.  Well illustrated.

 

Kuroda, Ryoji 'Shino'

(Famous Ceramics of Japan, vol 12), Tokyo, 1984.

An up-to-date study of one of the most sensuous of ceramics wares of the Momoyama period in  a good popular series.                

 

Mikami, Tsugio 'The Art of Japanese Ceramics'

Weatherhill/Heibonsha, New York & Tokyo, 1972.

A short history and appreciation by a well-known Japanese art historian and archaeologist.  The translation does not always do justice to the original text, and techniques and terms should be checked.

 

Miki, Fumio

'Haniwa'

(Arts of Japan, vol. 8) Weatherhill, New York, 1974.

An authoritative study of this splendid sepulchral earthenware by a Japanese archaeologist. Well  illustrated, it includes a classified bibliography, covering historical background, the wares and  the ceramic tradition. A good starting point for the earlier wares.

 

Miller, R.A. 'Japanese Ceramics'

Tokyo, 1960.

Adapted from the original Japanese text of Okuda, Koyama, Hayashiya, and others. A useful  survey for a newcomer to Japanese wares.

 

Munsterberg, H.

'The Ceramic Art of Japan'

Tuttle, Rutland, Vermont & Tokyo, 1964.

Sub-titled, a handbook for collectors, this is a useful introductory volume by a well-known Far Eastern art historian. It has a well-chosen select bibliography of the earlier literature.

 

Nakagawa, Sansaku

'Kutani Ware'

(Japanese Arts Lib.) Kodansha International, Tokyo, 1979.

An excellent well illustrated study with notes and glossary, as well as a well annotated  bibliography.

 

Piepenberg, Robert

'Raku Pottery'

Macmillan & Co., New York, 1972.

A potter's study of this popular Tea Ceremony ware from the technical point of view, with a  brief history and a discussion of the Tea Ceremony. Good illustration, charts and drawings.

 

Rhodes, Daniel

'Tamba Pottery'

Kodansha International, Tokyo, 1970.

A study of an attractive peasant ware by a sculptor and potter with long teaching experience. A worthwhile book.

 

Rieger, Hal

'Raku Art and Technique                             

Studio Vista, London, 1970.'

A good illustrated potters' guide.

 

Sanders, H.H.

'The World of Japanese Ceramics'

Tokyo, 1973.

A valuable study of the techniques of the Japanese potter with ample illustration.

 

Sato, Masahiko 

'Kyoto Ceramics'

(Arts of Japan, vol. 2) Weatherhill, New York, 1973.

An excellent study by an acknowledged expert in the field. Well illustrated.    

 

          

Supplied by Anita Gray

 

Ayers, John

'The Chinese Porcelain Collection of Marie Vergottis'

Fondation Georges et Marie Vergottis, La Bibliotheque des Arts, Lausanne 2004.

 

Hermitage, The State Hermitage Editorial Board

'Chinese Export Art in the Hermitage Museum, Late 16th – 19th centuries'

Hermitage Museum 2003.

 

Espir, Helen

'European Decoration on Oriental Porcelain 1700  -  1830'

Jorge Welsh Books, London 2005.

 

Gugong Museum

'Qing Shunzi Kangxi Chao'

Beijing, China 2004.

A Catalogue from the Gugong Museum

 

Jörg, C.J.A. in collaboration with Jan van Campen

'Chinese Ceramics in the Collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam'

Philip Wilson in association with the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, London 1997.

                                                      

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Gerald Reitlinger Collection

Oxford, 1981.

A Catalogue of Eastern Ceramics from the collection.

 

Ayers, J.

'The Bauer Collection'

Four volumes, Geneva, 1968-74.

 

Barnhart, R.M.

'Peach Blossom Spring: Gardens and Flowers in Chinese Painting'

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1983.

 

Beurdeley, M.

'Porcelain of the East India Companies'

London, 1962.

 

Beurdeley & Raindre

'Qing Porcelain'

London, 1987.

 

Bondy, W.

'Kang H'si'

Munich, 1923.

 

Butler, Sir M. et al.

'Seventeenth-Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection'

Alexandria, Virginia, 1990.

 

Carswell, J.

'Blue and White Chinese Porcelain and its Impact on the Western World'

University of Chicago, 1985.

 

le Corbellier, C.

'China Trade Porcelains: Patterns of Exhange'

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1974.

 

Crosby Forbes, H.A.

'Yang-ts'ai: Foreign Colours - Rose Porcelains of the Ch'ing Dynasty'

Exhibition catalogue, China Trade Museum, Milton, Massachusetts, 1982.

 

Crossman, C.

'The China Trade'

Princeton, N. J., 1972.

 

Curtis, J.B.

‘Markets, Motifs and Seventeenth-Century Porcelain from Jingdezhen’, The Porcelains of Jingdezhen (R. Scott ed.)

London, 1993, pp 123-49.

 

Curtis, J.B.

'Chinese Porcelains of the Seventeenth Century: Landscapes, Scholars’ Motifs and Narratives'

University of Washington Press, Seattle and London, 1995.

 

Gillingham, M.

'Chinese Painted Enamels Exhibited at the Ashmolean Museum'

Oxford, 1978.

 

Hervouet, F. & N.

'La Porcelaine Des Commpagnies Des Indes à Décor Occidental'

Paris, 1986.

 

Howard, D.

'Chinese Armorial Porcelain'

London, 1974.

 

Howard, D. and Ayers, J.

'China for the West'

London and New York, 1978. 

 

Howard, D.

'The Choice of the Private Trader'

London, 1994.

 

Jenyns, S.

'Later Chinese Porcelain'

London, 1971.

 

Jörg, C.J.A.

'Oosterse keramiek uit Groninger kollekties'

Groningen, 1982.

 

Jörg, C.J.A.

'De Hatcher schenking: Chinees export porselein uit een wrak in de Zuid-chinese Zee 1640-1645'

Groningen, 1984.

 

Jörg, C.J.A.

‘Chinese Porcelain for the Dutch in the Seventeenth Century: Trading Networks and Private Enterprise’, The Porcelains of Jingdezhen (R. Scott ed.)

London, 1993, pp183-205.

 

Jörg, C.J.A.

‘The Geldermalsen: History and Porcelain'

Groningen: Kemper Publishers, 1986.

 

Kjellberg, S.T.

'Svenska Ostindiska Compagniera'

Malmö, 1975.

 

Kraahl & Ayers

'Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Sarayi Museum'

London, 1986.

 

Lang, G. 'The Wrestling Boys.'

 

Mc Lure Mudge, J.

'Chinese Export Porcelain in North America'

New York, 1986.

 

Percival David Foundation

'Qing Enamelled Wares: Section 2'

London, Revised edition 1991.

 

Rinaldi, M.

'Kraak Porcelain: A Moment in the History of Trade'

London, 1989.

 

Lunsingh Scheurleer, D.F.

'Chinese Export Porcelain: Chine de Commande'

London, 1974.

 

Scott, R. (ed.)

'The Porcelains of Jingdezhen, Colloquies on Art & Archaeology in Asia No. 16'

Percival David Foundation, London, 1993.

 

Scott, R. & Kerr, R.

'Ceramic Evolution in the Middle Ming Period: Hongzhi to Wanli (1488-1620)'

Percival David Foundation, London, 1994.

 

Sheaf, C. & Kilburn, R.

'The Hatcher Porcelain Cargoes: The Complete Record'

Oxford, 1988.

 

Shangraw, C. & Von der Porten, E.P.

'The Drake and Cermeño Expeditions’ chinese Porcelains at Drakes Bay, California 1579 and 1595'

Santa rosa and Palo Alto, 1981.

 

Van der Pijl-Ketal & Dumas, C.L.

'Fortune de Mer a l’Ile Maurice'

Paris, 1981.

 

Veiga, G.

'Chinese Export Porcelain in Brazillian Private Collections'

Rio de Janeiro, 1986.

 

Yang, B.

Tributes from Guangdong to the Qing Court

Palace Museum and Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1987.