China
The Walters Art Museum’s collection of Chinese art includes works that span almost five millennia, from the late Neolithic period all the way up to the turn of the twentieth century. Chinese porcelains from the Ming and Qing dynasties were some of William T. Walters’s first purchases in the mid-nineteenth century and they form the foundation of the museum’s Asian collections. With the addition to important Buddhist sculptures, carved jades, ancient bronzes, paintings, and calligraphies, Henry Walters rounded out the Chinese collection so that it precisely reflects the early twentieth-century American vision of China.
The Walters Art Museum’s collection of Chinese art includes works that span almost five millennia, from the late Neolithic period all the way up to the turn of the twentieth century. Chinese porcelains from the Ming and Qing dynasties were some of William T. Walters’s first purchases in the mid-nineteenth century and they form the foundation of the museum’s Asian collections. With the addition to important Buddhist sculptures, carved jades, ancient bronzes, paintings, and calligraphies, Henry Walters rounded out the Chinese collection so that it precisely reflects the early twentieth-century American vision of China.
![Image for Bottle Vase with Peonies, Lotus Blossoms, and Scrolling Vines](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/PS1_49.971_Fnt_DD_T16-tms.jpg)
Bottle Vase with Peonies, Lotus Blossoms, and Scrolling Vines
1736-1795 (Qing dynasty (1644-1911))
49.971
![Image for Vase with a Grapevine Motif](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/PS1_49.1568_Fnt_DD_T09.jpg)
Vase with a Grapevine Motif
Porcelain: 1736-1795; Mounts: ca. 1800 (Qing dynasty (1644-1911))
49.1568
![Image for Cup and Saucer with Scenes of European Figures](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/PL2_44.574_Fnt_BW_H68.jpg)
Cup and Saucer with Scenes of European Figures
1736-1795 (Qing dynasty; reign of the Qianlong emperor (1736–95))
44.574
![Image for Pair of Vases in the Shape of Twin Fish](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/PL9_49.1324-1325_Fnt_SL.jpg)
Pair of Vases in the Shape of Twin Fish
Porcelain: 1736-1750; Mounts: mid 18th century
VO.121 (49.1324, 49.1325)
![Image for Flask with Dragons](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/PS1_49.1632_Fnt_DD_T09.jpg)
Flask with Dragons
1736-1795 (Qing dynasty; reign of the Qianlong emperor (1736?95))
49.1632
On view
![Image for Bottle with Transmutation Glaze](https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/thumbnails/PS1_49.1560_3QtrTop_DD_AST18-028525-tms.jpg)
Bottle with Transmutation Glaze
1736-1795 (Qing dynasty; reign of the Qianlong emperor (1736–95))
49.1560
On view