Peabody Essex Museum

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Chinese Art

PEM's collection of Chinese art offers for exploration the rich and broad realms of China's ancient and contemporary cultures. The collection encompasses visual art from the many cultures and tastes within China, including the everyday, the imperial, the literati, the revolutionary and current artistic trends, as well as works from minority nationalities. Many works draw inspiration from ancient Chinese art while others express influences from Europe and America. The collection includes painting and calligraphy, textiles, ceramics and architecture. Together, the objects fully reflect the breadth of China's visual cultures as they have evolved over the centuries.

Explore some highlights from the collection

  

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Portrait of Empress Xiaoxian Chun
Qing dynasty, second half of 18th century with later repainting, hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, overall: 108 1/4 x 51 9/16 inches (275 x 131 cm). Gift of Mrs. Elizabeth Sturgis Hinds, 1956. Peabody Essex Museum, E33619. Photography by Walter Silver
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Headdress (dianzi) with birds, clouds, bamboo, orchid, and fruit
Qing dynasty, about 1800, China. Kingfisher feather, pearls, coral, semiprecious stones, copper alloy with gilding, and silk. Gift in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Austin Cheney by their daughters Ruth C. Krumhaat, Marjorie B.C. Shaw, Elizabeth C. Buckley, and Mabel C. Smith, 1984. Accession Number: E75225.A
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Robe with Daoist symbols
Qing dynasty, possibly early 18th century, Suzhou, China. Embroidered silk and metallic-wrapped threads on satin ground, paper with gilding; lining: woven hemp, 49 x 74 5/8 inch (125 x 182 cm). Museum purchase, 2003, E302178
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Ming Dynasty, 1426-1435
Chinese artist. Ceramic. China. 4 1/8 x 8 1/4 inches (10.478 x 20.955 cm). Gift of Hester Bancroft, 1906. E9054
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Gourd-shaped snuff bottle, late 19th century
Plant, glass, enamel, bone. China. Glass, 3 x 1 1/4 inches (7.62 x 3.175 cm). E37717.A
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Engraving
Yi Lantai, late 18th century, China. Copperplate print on paper. Museum Purchase, 2006. E303400
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Six panels with birds, figures, and characters in the form of a screen
Qing dynasty, late 18th-early 19th century. Suzhou, China. 366 x 498 cm, Embroidery (xiu): silk and gold-wrapped threads on satin ground, cotton, paper, and pigments; lining. Gift of William F. Spinney, 1933. Accession Number:E2117
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"Hundred Boys" Jar, Jaijing period, 1522-1566
Artist not identified, China. Porcelain with transparent glaze and underglaze cobalt blue pigment. Gift of Mrs. Herbert Nadai and Thomas Beal Jr. in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Beal, 1982. Accession Number: E81696
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Robe, ca. 1930
Textile, silk. Asia, China. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ward I. Gregg, 1979. E80968
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"Plum"
48 5/8 x 21 5/16 inches (123.5 x 54.1 cm). Gift in memory of Merah Shrum Pratt. E303544