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An Annotated Bibliography of Chinese and Japanese Ceramics compiled by Margaret Medley


• Ayers, J.G. et al. Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul London 1986, 3 quarto vols.
  
  This is the largest collection of Chinese wares from the late 13th century onwards, dominated by its blue and white, and celadon wares. A fully documented study of the collection and its historical background, with about 4,000 pieces illustrated together with the marks and inscriptions. Very expensive but an essential reference work for a specialised area.
  
  
• Beurdeley, M & C., Chinese Ceramics (Trans. Katherine Watson)
  Thames & Hudson, London, 1974
  A massive, expensive and lavishly illustrated general history. It unfortunately contains many historical and technical inaccuracies, but is useful for its illustrations.
  
  
• Brankston, A.J. Early Ming Wares from Ching-te-chen
  Peking, 1937. Reprinted 1970
  An interesting account based on Chinese texts and connoisseurship. Unfortunately the sources are not as a rule quoted, so its value is limited.
  
  
• Bushell, Stephen.W. Chinese Pottery and Porcelain; being a translation of the T'ao-shuo
  Oxford University Press, Kuala Lumpur, 1977 (Reprint of the original edition of 1910)
  This was the first study by a Chinese author devoted exclusively to Chinese ceramics and reflects the scholar's attitude as it was in the 18th century. The translation could be improved, but the work is nevertheless valuable. Very important are the two letters of Pere d'Entrecolles, of 1712 and 1722, which Bushell added as Appendices.
  
  
  
• Bushell, Stephen.W., Oriental Ceramic Art
  New York, 1899. Reprinted.
  Now largely out of date, but still important for Qing ceramics, and its valuable translations of passages from Chinese texts. Bushell was the great pioneer.
  
  
• Donnelly, P.J. Blanc de Chine
  Faber Monograph series, London, 1969.
  The only publication on this subject, it is sadly marred by numerous inaccuracies and confusion.
  
  
• Garner, Sir Harry.M. Oriental Blue and White
  Faber Monographs series, London, 1970. 3rd edition.
  This is a revised edition with a new enlarged introduction of a well-established standard work, invaluable as a starting point for all collectors of blue and white.
  
  
• Goldschmidt, D.Lion. Ming Porcelain
  Thames and Hudson, London, 1978.
  This splendidly illustrated volume is essential for the study of Ming wares, and is particularly illuminating for those interested in stylistic development. A work of great refinement with many subtle insights.
  
  
• Gompertz, G.St.G.M. Chinese Celadon Wares
  Faber Monograph Series, London, 1980. Revised edition.
  A standard work on a fascinating aspect by a specialist collector, better known for his work on Korean ceramics.
  
  
• Gray, B Sung Pottery and Porcelain
  Faber Monograph Series, London, 1984.
  The most recent addition to this well-known series of scholarly volumes brings our knowledge up to date with the most recent Chinese research in the field.
  
  
• Gyllensvard, B. Chinese Ceramics in the Carl Kempe Collection
  Stockholm, 1964.
  A fully illustrated catalogue of a remarkable collection, exceptionally strong in white wares. Some of the dating is unreliable.
  
  
• Hayashiya, S. and Hasebe, Gakuji. Chinese Ceramics
  Tokyo, 1966.
  A general history of Chinese ceramics, amply illustrated, presents the Japanese approach to the subject.
  
  
• Hobson, R.L. A Catalogue of Chinese Pottery and Porcelain in the Collection of Sir Percival David, Bart.
  London, 1934. Privately printed.
  The catalogue of what was the greatest private collection as it was in 1933, compiled by one of the great authorities on Chinese ceramics.
  
  
• Hobson, R.L. Catalogue of the George Eumorfopoulos Collection of Chinese and Korean Pottery and Porcelain
  London, 1925-28. 6 vols.
  The catalogue of what was the greatest private collection of Chinese art ever made in the west. Some pieces would now be dismissed as late copies, or even fakes, but the work remains valuable for reference for all types of Chinese ceramics.
  
  
• Hobson, R.L. Chinese Pottery and Porcelain
  London, 1915. 2 vols. Now reprinted in 1 vol. New York, 1976.
  Although now in many respects out of date, this remarkable work remains indispensable for the serious collector, with its many penetrating observations and sound scholarship.
  
  
• Honey, W.B. The Ceramic Art of China, and other countries of the Far East
  London, 1945.
  A general survey, mainly aesthetic, written in a very individual style by a former Keeper of Ceramics at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Now rather out of date but still interesting.
  
  
• Howard, David.S. Chinese Armorial Porcelain
  Faber, London, 1974.
  A standard work of immense value for reference. Excellently illustrated with a very readable text.
  
  
• Jenyns, S. Later Chinese Porcelain
  Faber Monograph series, London, 1971.
  A valuable work on a long and difficult period from the 17th century onward by an author with a highly idiosyncratic style, who draws the reader into discussion at every turn. Jenyns had access to many unusual Chinese texts and he raises historical points that are not found elsewhere. References should be carefully checked.
  
  
• Jenyns, S. Ming Pottery and Porcelain
  Faber Monograph series, London, 1987. A new corrected edition.
  A very idiosyncratic work of enormous interest, with much historical and other peripheral material of great value that is available nowhere else.
  
  
• Medley, M. Yuan Porcelain and Stoneware
  Faber Monograph series, London, 1974.
  The first comprehensive study of a much disputed period of unusual interest, when China was wide open to outside influences.
  
  
• Medley, M. The Chinese Potter. A Practical History of Chinese Ceramics
  Oxford, 1976. Revised edition in paper-back 1980. (a more recent updated edition is currently in print)
  A basic introduction to the history and technology with a useful bibliography
  
  
• Medley, M. Tang Pottery and Porcelain
  Faber Monograph series, London, 1981.
  A systematic study of the ceramic types of this rich and exciting period based on recent Chinese research.
  
  
• Mino Yutaka, Freedom of Clay and Brush through Seven Centuries in Northern China; Tz'u-chou Type Wares, 960-1600 A.D
  Indianapolis Museuem of Art, 1980-81.
  The most important catalogue raisonne ever published on this popular and varied ware. Meticulousely documented and well illustrated with comparative material.
  
  
• Oort, H.A. van, The Porcelain of Hung-hsien
  Lochem, 1970.
  A study of the socio-cultural background and some characteristics of the porcelain produced at Jingdezhen under the self-appointed "emperor" Yuan Shikai in 1916.
  
  
• Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong-Kong Jingdezhen Wares: The Yuan Evolution
  Hong-Kong, 1984.
  This is a catalogue of an important exhibition with a number of important introductory essays by well-known specialists such as Sir John Addis, M. Medley, M. Tregear etc.
  
  
• Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong-Kong Transitional Wares and Their Forerunners
  Hong-Kong, 1981.
  The catalogue of a very important exhibition of Chinese porcelains of the period from the late 16th century to about 1680. A series of interesting and valuable pioneering essays introduces much previously unpublished material.
  
  
• Oriental Ceramic Society of London Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society
  London, 1921-
  Now an annual publication, it includes many valuable scholarly papers on almost every aspect of Chinese ceramics and art generally. Reduced prices for members of the Society, but individual numbers available from Philip Wilson Publishers.
  
  
• Pope, J.A. Chinese Porcelains from the Ardebil Shrine
  Washington, 1956. Reprinted London, 1982.
  The reprint is slightly revised and issued by Philip Wilson, Sotheby's Publications. It is an important pioneering study of an historic collection mainly of blue and white.
  
  
• Pope, J.A. Fourteenth Century Blue and White in the Topkapu Serai Muzesi, Istanbul
  Washington, 1970.
  The first monograph on this material by an acknowledged authority. it is aminly concerned with the identification of the decorative motifs.
  
  
• Sato, M. Chinese Ceramics: A Short History
  New York & Tokyo, 1981.
  A translation of Professor Sato's Chugoku Tojishi of 1979. Valuable because it reveals much of the Japanese approach. Sato is one of the foremost authorities in Japan in this field.
  
  
• Volker, T. Porcelain and the Dutch East India Company
  Leiden, 1954.
  An indispensable reference work for collectors of seventeenth century Chinese export ware.
  
  
• Watson, W. Tang and Liao Pottery
  London, 1984.
  A comprehensive study of forms and kilns, with a discussion of decoration, preceded by a long historical introduction. Not an easy book to use and often controversial.It is amply documented, but almost exclusively from Chinese sources. Marred somewhat by some very bad editorial work.
  
  
• Wirgin, J. Sung Ceramic Design
  Stockholm,1970.
  A systematic study of the decorations and styles of Song dynasty wares, with a tentative, but well-argued chronology. A very valuable work for anyone with a serious interest in this classic period. Numerous illustrations and line drawings.
  
  

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• JAPAN
  
  
• Becker, Joanna. Karatsu: A Tradition of Diversity
  Kodansha International, New York, 1986.
  Written with a deep appreciation of the ware by a practising potter, this should be a very valuable study of a justly famous ware.
  
  
• Cort, Louise. Shigaraku, Potter's Valley
  Kodansha International, Tokyo, New York etc., 1979.
  A masterly and comprehensive study of one of the most attractive and widely used rough stonewares, which in recent times has been much refined. Both historic and modern wares are covered.
  
  
• Faulkner, R.F.J. and Impey, O.R. Shino and Oribe Kiln Sites
  Oxford, 1981.
  The catalogue of a very interesting exhibition of sherds from Toki City, with a useful introduction and good drawings of kilns. Well illustrated and has a useful bibliography together with three clear maps.
  
  
• Fujioka, Ryochi. Shino and Oribe Ceramics
  (Japanese Arts Lib.) Kodansha International, Tokyo, 1977.
  A systematic study of two very popular wares by the former Curator of Ceramics at Kyoto National Museum. Excellent illustrations.
  
  
• Gorham, Hazel. Japanese and Oriental Ceramics
  Tuttle, Rutland, Vermont & Tokyo.
  A fairly comprehensive handbook with short entries on wares, kilns, decorations and marks. Illustrated entirely with line drawings. An index for quick reference. A large bibliography, but without any evaluations, so this needs careful use.
  
  
• Jenyns, Soame. Japanese Porcelain
  Faber Monograph series, London, 1965.
  An ambitious study of traditional wares by this stimulating author. Values of sources, dating and references should be checked.
  
  
• Kawahara, Masahiko. The Ceramic Art of Ogata Kenzan
  (Japanese Arts Lib. vol. 13) Tokyo.
  A well-presented study with easily understood technical information. The author does not settle the dating satisfactorily, but the criteria are there.
  
  
• Kodansha International. Famous Ceramics of Japan
  Tokyo, 1981, 1981-84, 12 vols.
  The series, with contributions by various authors, presents first-rate coloured illustrations of the products of all the major kilns, each volume with a simple text introducing the ware. 1. Nabeshima. 2. Agano & Takatori. 3 & 4. Folk Kilns. 5. Kakiemon. 6. Tokoname. 7. Oribe. 8. Karatsu. 9. Kiseto & Setoguro. 10. Hagi. 11. Shino.
  
  
• Koyama, Fujio. The Heritage of Japanese Ceramics
  (Trans. John Figgess).
  A general history by one of the foremost ceramics historians in Japan, who was also a potter. Well illustrated.
  
  
• Kuroda, Ryoji. Shino
  (Famous Ceramics of Japan, vol. 12) Tokyo, 1984.
  An up-to-date study of one of the most sensuous of ceramic wares of the Momoyama period in a good popular series.
  
  
• Mikami, Tsugio. The Art of Japanese Ceramics
  Weatherhill/Heibonsha, New York & Tokyo, 1972.
  A short history and appreciation by a well-known Japanese art historian and archaeologist. The translation does not always do justice to the original text, and techniques and terms should be checked.
  
  
• Miki, Fumio. Haniwa
  (Arts of Japan, vol. 8)Weatherhill, New York, 1974.
  An authoritative study of this splendid sepulchral earthenware by a Japanese archaeologist. Well illustrated, it includes a classified bibliography covering historical background, the wares and the ceramic tradition. A good starting point for the earlier wares.
  
  
• Miller, R.A. Japanese Ceramics
  Tokyo, 1960.
  Adapted from the original Japanese text of Okuda, Koyama, Hayashiya and others. A useful survey for a newcomer to Japanese wares.
  
  
• Munsterberg, H. The Ceramic Art of Japan
  Tuttle, Rutland, Vermont & Tokyo, 1964.
  Sub-titled, "a handbook for collectors", this is a useful introductory volume by a well-known Far Eastern art historian. It has a well-chosen select bibliography of the earlier literature.
  
  
• Nakagawa, Sansaku. Kutani Ware
  (Japanese Arts Lib.) Kodansha International, Tokyo, 1979.
  An excellent well-illustrated study with notes and glossary, as well as a well-annotated bibliography.
  
  
• Piepenberg, Robert. Raku Pottery
  Macmillan & Co, New York, 1972.
  A potter's study of this popular Tea Ceremony ware from the technical point of view, with a brief history and a discussion of the Tea Ceremony. Good illustration, charts and drawings.
  
  
• Rhodes, Daniel. Tamba Pottery
  Kodansha International, Tokyo, 1970.
  A study of an attractive peasant ware by a sculptor and potter with long teaching experience. A worthwhile book.
  
  
• Rieger, Hal. Raku Art and Technique
  Studio Vista, London, 1970.
  A good illustrated potter's guide.
  
  
• Sanders, H.H. The World of Japanese Ceramics
  Tokyo, 1973.
  A valuable study of the techniques of the Japanese potter with ample illustrations.
  
  
• Sato, Masahiko, Kyoto Ceramics
  (Arts of Japan, vol. 2) Weatherhill, New York, 1973.
  An excellent study by an acknowledged expert in the field. Well illustrated.
  

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