Collection of Ancient Chinese Cultural Relics, Volume 3

Book excerpt: After a period of many years, unification was the desire by all at the end of the Warring States Period. Six separate states, Han, Zhao, Yan, Wei, Chu and Qi unified with the establishment of a centralised feudal state. Although the Qin Dynasty was quickly overthrown due to tyranny, there was the implementation of a range of policies conducive to unification which had far-reaching and significant impacts on society lasting 2,000 years. The Han Dynasty followed and inherited the Qin system. In the Han Dynasty there were brilliant socio-political, economic, military, cultural and artistic achievements, and so this period occupies an important position in the history of the development of Chinese civilization. The Qin Dynasty was not long and few large tombs have been found, so little is known of the jade ware. From the Han Dynasty, much is known and representing the peak of Chinese jade ware. That is, in terms of number of pieces found, choice of materials and their design as well as the carvings. The bronze foundry industry became secondary and its scale of production was shrinking compared to the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. Gold and silver ware gradually developed to very advances stages. This book, the third in a ten-volume collection, brings to the English-speaking world a series of books from China which has been complied by an Expert Committee of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics. There are 383 descriptions.