Over 7000 years of Chinese pottery and porcelain in text and pictures, from Neolithic times through the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911. Illustrations follow the evolution from the earliest pottery tomb figures to the fine porcelains created by edicts of nineteenth century Chinese Emperors. The book features over 400 color photographs, a Time Line of selected historical events, and values in today's marketplace for each pictured item.

Information on "origins and development of the Chinese written language" precedes the extensive catalog of marks, including marks in regular kaishu script, marks in zhuanshu seal scripts, symbols used as marks, directory of marks, and list of potters.

"Chinese Pottery and Porcelain: Vol. 1. Pottery and Early Wares" by R. L. Hobson is an academic compilation and commentary on Chinese pottery. Chinese pottery has been a complicated and intricate artwork since its inception, and people have always been interested in how it's evolved over the years. This book allows some insight into the process as well as sharing some prime examples of it.

Presents 50 selected highlights of this world-renowned collection ... The accompanying text gives brief details and draws out their most significant features"--Cover flap.