Chinese zodiacs and myths

Ever wondered why the mighty dragon finished in 5th place? Or how the rat managed to win The Great Race? And why wait 60 years to start the cycle when there are only 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac?

Check out this short video by Ted-Ed to get the answers.

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=may2s9j4RLk&t=18s

Fine 'imitation' pieces housed in Shanghai Museum (Chinese history)

Short, insightful documentary highlighting how Chinese ceramics evolved from one dynasty to the next.

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn6Kexvz00U

Great introduction.... (Chinese history)

 

Enjoyed this short, informative documentary highlighting the history of Chinese ceramics. Appreciate the Shanghai Museum's efforts to educate the public and shed some light on China's rich history.

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JDlKoECC6g

How did people sleep on porcelain pillows? (Chinese culture)

 

I used to wonder how Chinese people slept on hard porcelain pillows in ancient times. For starters, they were way less comfortable then the goose-hair pillows available in modern-day supermarkets.

However, people used to wear intricate headwear back then, and pillows were usually placed under the neck instead of the head.

Apparently, these hard pillows not only provided a cooling effect, but also helped to maintain their hairstyle and prevent it from getting disheveled.

Read on (article in link below) to find out how these ancient pillows had evolved from the Sui Dynasty (581-618) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-03-22/A-journey-through-the-history-of-Chinese-porcelain-pillows-1inI90PTAbe/index.html

North, South and Kilns (Chinese history)

 

Brief, informative documentary about ceramics being produced in different kilns throughout North and South China.

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yepXLX2Paec

Coloured' ceramics (Chinese history)

 

Informative documentary highlighting some beautiful pieces (from the Ming and Qing Dynasty) at the Shanghai Museum.

Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/CiruasDMmkw

Simple, elegant, delicate.....(Qing Dynasty)

 

Check out this 'highly important' and rare falangcai (or foreign colours) bowl from Yongzheng Emperor's era.

The name 'falangcai' was given to porcelain originating from the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen but enameled by artisans in Beijing’s Forbidden City.

Good to know that it still fetched a handsome amount despite being sold as a single piece instead of a pair.

According to Sotheby's, its “twin” is now held at the British Museum in London.

https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/falangcai-bowl-auction-sothebys-hong-kong/index.html