Chinese Sculpture

Chinese sculptures were mainly associated with religion and were commonly found in temples and mausoleums.

The most famous sculptures are Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an. 8, 000 life-size terracotta warriors and their horses are located in the 2, 200-year-old mausoleum of the first Emperor of the united China. Standing tall, lifelike and mobilized for action, these warriors continue to guard faithfully their monarch for over two millennia.

Chine has also been influenced by Buddism from India and Tibet. Chinese Buddha sculptures look imperious, mysterious and aloof. There are many of them found in temples and caves.

Chinese pottery and porcelain have over 8, 000 years of development. Both coloured and black pottery were common in ancient times. The glazed porcelains came alive with yellow, green, blue, brown, black and white colours more than 3, 000 years ago.

Casting bronzeware appeared about 5, 000 years ago. Aristocrats used bronze vessels for ancestral rituals and for daily routine – cooking, heat millet wine. A ding – a cauldron with three or four legs, was used both for cooking and ceremony, but later it became a symbol of power and prestige. That is why their surfaces are decorated with details of important political events.