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Ask anyone what single object they associate with China & the most common answer will be a Ming vase. Probably without even knowing the dates of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), people are aware of the fragility of its porcelain, its rarity & value. But porcelain is just one part of the story of one of the most glorious epoques of Chinas past. By focusing on the significant years of the early Ming dynasty & through the themes of court people & their lives, extraordinary developments in culture, the military, religion, diplomacy & trade, this magnificent book brings the wider history of this fascinating period to colourful life. This was an age of great voyages of exploration, undertaken for many reasons including trade & diplomacy. Long before the regular arrivals of Europeans in China, court-sponsored expeditions were sent to Asia, the Middle East & the African coast, bringing back knowledge of & objects from lands thousands of miles away gold, gems & foreign fashions. This period also saw the compilation of the worlds first comprehensive encyclopaedia (worked on by over 2000 scholars); the undertaking of major building projects such as the Forbidden City & Ming tombs; the creation of beautiful textiles, paintings, ceramics, gold, jewellery, furniture, jade & lacquer. The engaging narrative is richly illustrated with over 250 images, drawing on the objects specially selected for the British Museums major exhibition. Some of these are the finest pieces ever made in China. ...

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The Ming dynasty (1368-1644) is regarded as Chinas golden age, equivalent in British history to the Elizabethan era. Through the themes of people & places & a wealth of objects, this beautifully illustrated little book provides a concise & fascinating introduction to the Ming period. The colourful & rich nature of life for the emperors & their families within the vast palaces of Nanjing, Beijing & beyond is captured in the exquisite imperial portraits, paintings, costumes & jewellery. Beyond the courts, outdoor spaces were enjoyed by many people, & journeys into the countryside undertaken for different purposes. Parties were held in gardens with friends & sports such as football & golf kept people fit. Amongst other goods, Chinese porcelain & silk were highly regarded throughout the world at this time. The author looks at the main production centres, the extensive distribution networks, & the roles of craftsmen, salesmen & customers. As so much of our knowledge of Ming China derives from archaeology, tombs of royals & non-royals are featured & major finds from them illustrated. Religious sites monasteries, temples & mosques are also explored; rare surviving examples of architecture from the Ming period. The book concludes with an introduction to some of the imagined spaces of the Ming, including realms for various gods. Here are palaces & parks; tombs & temples; silk-production sites & sacred mountains; emperors & empresses; soldiers & salesmen; princes & potters: a visual feast that captures the flavour of the remarkable Ming dynasty. ...

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This is a new edition of this popular guide to England`s capital city. It contains a brief history of London from Roman times to today, as well as a guide to its people, places & tourist attractions such as the Natural History Museum, Buckingham Palace, Regent`s Park & London Zoo. It is packed with fascinating facts & trivia. It is an ideal guide for use by visitors both young & old or as a resource for projects. ...

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