China: A History in Objects

by Jessica Harrison-Hall

This illustrated introduction to the history of China offers a fresh understanding of China’s progress from the Neolithic age to the present. Told in six chapters arranged chronologically, through art, artifacts, people, and places, and richly illustrated with expertly selected objects and artworks, it firmly connects today’s China with its internationally engaged past.


From the earliest archaeological relics and rituals, through the development of writing and state, to the advent of empire, the author charts China’s transformation from ancient civilization into the world’s most populous nation and influential economy, offering historical insights and cultural treasures along the way. This accessible book presents an eclectic mix of materials including Chinese theater, the decorative arts, costume, jewelry, and furniture-making, running through to the most recent diffusion of Chinese culture.

Genres: History, China, Nonfiction, Art

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know what made me think learning about history via "objects" would make it more interesting, but this book absolutely bored me to tears. (Okay I do know: I took an art history course in college titled something like "The Arts of East Asia" that really immersed me in ancient cultures, but not only did the art consist of much more than "objects," we got to explore art from Japan, Korea and India as well as China.)

I was hoping to get a sense of the dynastic periods – the distinguishing features of each, and a glimpse of daily life during each – but I did not. Instead I got endless examples of which glaze was used on which piece of pottery, and which was "discovered" by which random 19th/20th-century British dude. The pottery wasn't the only thing glazing over, I can tell you that.

Every once in a blue moon I did salvage a decent factoid, and I get that maybe I'm not the ideal audience for this book, but I'm still going with a 1 star rating because it wasn't available from my library and I'm bitter that I actually *spent money* on this empty vessel of a book.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very impressive photographic portrayal of artistic objects from thousands of years of Chinese history, each with a fascinating description. The book might be better subtitled “Objects in History,” since the text does not convey a coherent story. As far as Chinese history it is not an introduction - better suited to readers with expertise in the subject. Particularly maddening is the lack of a even single map.

[Maxim Sheinin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book because I read Neil McGregor's "A history of the world in 100 objects", which is also based on the artefacts from the British museum. While Harrison-Hall's book is well-researched and beautifully illustrated, the content oftentimes reads somewhat technical and dry, with a greater focus on the various techniques employed by the Chinese artisans and artists as opposed to painting a broader narrative of Chinese history. While understandably the objects described focus on the more precious ones, mostly designed for the imperial court, there may be a missed opportunity to also shed a greater light on the life of more ordinary Chinese men and women through the centuries.

[Arjen Taselaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully produced book on China, more a history of objects than a history in objects. The choice of illustrations has been carefully and expertly made from objects in the British Museum collections. It is a book to read slowly, but above all to enjoy the wonderful pictures of these outstanding works of arts and decoration that have been produced in China for millennia.

[Janta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely and fascinating book. The photos of the art objects are well presented, and the accompanying text is informative and well written.

[Peter Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book to dip into not to be read cover to cover!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exuberantly illustrated, it gave me more understanding of all of the Chinese items I saw at different museums. Focused mostly on art and pottery.