the beijing center for chinese studies
Treasures
selected Treasures of the beijing center
introduction
The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies educates the international academic community about China and Chinese culture. We want our students not only to read about Chinese pottery, furniture, and paintings and to see photographs of them, but also to experience them first-hand and to live among them. We have therefore selected a variety of pieces from different periods, from the very earliest works of art to those of the twentieth century. They range from a large Qing cart to tiny Warring States vessels. Rather than placing these artifacts in glass cases, we display them in everyday settings in our offices, library, and hallways.
It is our hope that visitors and students alike will gain an appreciation for Chinese art and culture as they walk among the Center’s artifacts. For those who cannot visit, this online collection is our gift to you. Its texts aim both to describe and to educate, and together with the photographs, the colors, and the textures, they invite you to enter the rich world of Chinese art and culture.
sculpture
雕塑
Sculpture is one of the primary forms of the plastic arts, and is a general term for carving and modelling.
Model Calligraphy
法书
A term of respect in Chinese art for the authentic, surviving works of ancient calligraphy masters. It implies that these works are not merely writing, but canonical models to be studied and emulated.
ceramics
陶瓷
Ceramic ware is a category of silicate products crafted from non-metallic minerals, such as clay, and fired at high temperatures.
Bronzes
青铜器
Bronze ware, objects cast from bronze alloy (copper alloyed with tin, lead, etc.), were known in antiquity as “jin” (metal) or “jijin” (auspicious metal).
furniture
家具
The artistic achievements of furniture, as well as the intellectual and cultural milieu of the Ming and Qing dynasties, hold significant reference and inspirational value, constituting a precious part of China’s cultural heritage.
The Four Treasures of the Study
文房四宝
The Four Treasures of the Study are the writing brush, ink stick, paper, and inkstone.
In traditional Chinese culture, the Four Treasures of the Study are essential tools for calligraphy and painting.
Other Collections
其他藏品
Beyond our featured treasures, the wider collection spans textiles, manuscripts, and decorative arts. Each object, from ancient coins to intricate ceramics, reveals a unique facet of craftsmanship and history, offering a quieter yet profound glimpse into past cultures.