Ming Dynasty Collection

The Selden Map of China. Artist: Chinese Master
The Selden Map of China. Found in the collection of the Bodleian Library, Oxford

Great Wall of China, UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating from Ming Dynasty, Jinshanling, Luanping County, Hebei Province, China, Asia

Guanyin as the Nine-Lotus Bodhisattva, 1593. Creator: Unknown
Guanyin as the Nine-Lotus Bodhisattva, 1593

The Eight Hosts of Deva, Naga, and Yakshi, 1454. Creator: Unknown
The Eight Hosts of Deva, Naga, and Yakshi, 1454. The grandest of the Buddhist mortuary rites is the Water-Land ( shuilu ) ritual

China, Beijing, Temple of Heaven, Chinese Urn in the foreground

The Hermit Xu You Resting by a Stream, 1400s. Creator: Dai Jin (Chinese, 1388-1462)
The Hermit Xu You Resting by a Stream, 1400s. The subject of this painting, Xu You, is an ancient worthy and reclusive figure who, when offered the throne by the legendary emperor Yao

Birds Gather under the Spring Willow, late 1400s-early 1500. Creator: Yin Hong (Chinese, c
Birds Gather under the Spring Willow, late 1400s-early 1500. A great variety of birds, including the peacock and peahen, are portrayed in a natural setting

Banquet Still Life. Creator: Beijeren, Abraham Hendricksz, van (1620 / 21-1690)
Banquet Still Life. Found in the Collection of Liechtenstein Museum

Thousand Character Classic, 1599 (ink on paper)
8724826 Thousand Character Classic, 1599 (ink on paper) by Zhan Jingfeng (fl.1599); Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA; (add.info.: By Zhan Jingfeng).

Fahua wares from the Ming to Qing dynasty
2911146 Fahua wares from the Ming to Qing dynasty; (add.info.: Fahua wares from the Ming to Qing dynasty. Dated 17th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Rooster in a rocky garden landscape. Creator: Ma Yuanyu (around 1669-1722)
Rooster in a rocky garden landscape. Private Collection

Guanyin with two accompanying figures. Creator: Chinese Master
Guanyin with two accompanying figures. Private Collection

Avalokiteshvara, 18th century. Creator: Chinese Master
Avalokiteshvara, 18th century. Private Collection

Views in China: tombs of the Emperors of the Ming Dynasty, at Nankin, 1864. Creator: Mason Jackson
Views in China: tombs of the Emperors of the Ming Dynasty, at Nankin, 1864. Engraving from a sketch by Mr. F. L. Bedwell, of a 'View of the Tombs of the Ming dynasty of Chinese Emperors

Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, a fictional character in the classic novel "Journey to the West". Found in the Collection of the Kaiyuan-Tempel, Quanzhou.

Landscape in the Style of Fan Kuan (image 1 of 2), Late Yuan or early Ming dynasty, 14th-15th cent.. Creator: Anon
Landscape in the Style of Fan Kuan (image 1 of 2), Late Yuan or early Ming dynasty (14th-15th century)

Celestial Buddhas and Deities of the Northern, Western, and Central Dipper Constell... c1450-c1550. Creator: Anon
Celestial Buddhas and Deities of the Northern, Western, and Central Dipper Constellations, between c1450 and c1550

Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin), the Bodhisattva of Compassion (image 4 of 7), Ming dynasty. Creator: Anon
Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin), the Bodhisattva of Compassion (image 4 of 7), Ming dynasty

Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin), the Bodhisattva of Compassion (image 7 of 7), Ming dynasty. Creator: Anon
Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin), the Bodhisattva of Compassion (image 7 of 7), Ming dynasty

Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin), the Bodhisattva of Compassion (image 5 of 7), Ming dynasty. Creator: Anon
Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin), the Bodhisattva of Compassion (image 5 of 7), Ming dynasty

Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin), the Bodhisattva of Compassion (image 3 of 7), Ming dynasty. Creator: Anon
Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin), the Bodhisattva of Compassion (image 3 of 7), Ming dynasty

Old Trees by a Cold Waterfall, 1531. Creator: Wen Zhengming
Old Trees by a Cold Waterfall, 1531

Mandarin Duck with Scrolls, between c.1279 and c.1450. Creator: Unknown
Mandarin Duck with Scrolls, between c.1279 and c.1450

Censer (Lu) in the Form of a Unicorn (Qilin), between 1573 and 1620. Creator: Unknown
Censer (Lu) in the Form of a Unicorn (Qilin), between 1573 and 1620

Head of a Female Daoist Deity, between c.1700 and c.1800. Creator: Unknown
Head of a Female Daoist Deity, between c.1700 and c.1800

Dragon (image 1 of 2), between 1368 and 1644. Creator: Unknown
Dragon (image 1 of 2), between 1368 and 1644

Altar Chamber with Altar, between c.1450 and c.1550. Creator: Unknown
Altar Chamber with Altar, between c.1450 and c.1550

Throne Chamber with Throne, between c.1450 and c.1550. Creator: Unknown
Throne Chamber with Throne, between c.1450 and c.1550

Funerary Sculpture of a Double-Courtyard Residential Compound, between c.1450 and c.1550. Creator: Unknown
Funerary Sculpture of a Double-Courtyard Residential Compound (image 2 of 2), between c.1450 and c.1550

Funerary Sculpture of a Double-Courtyard Residential Compound, between c.1450 and c.1550. Creator: Unknown
Funerary Sculpture of a Double-Courtyard Residential Compound (image 1 of 2), between c.1450 and c.1550

Head of a Bodhisattva, Probably Avalokitésvara (Guanyin), the Bodhisattva... between c.1450-c.1550. Creator: Unknown
Head of a Bodhisattva, Probably Avalokitesvara (Guanyin), the Bodhisattva of Mercy, between c.1450 and c.1550

Kitchen Chamber with Kitchen (image 1 of 2), between c.1450 and c.1550. Creator: Unknown
Kitchen Chamber with Kitchen (image 1 of 2), between c.1450 and c.1550

Mythical Animal (image 1 of 2), between c.1644 and c.1800. Creator: Unknown
Mythical Animal (image 1 of 2), between c.1644 and c.1800

Perforated Disk (Bi) with Dragons, between c.1550 and c.1644. Creator: Unknown
Perforated Disk (Bi) with Dragons, between c.1550 and c.1644

God of Longevity (Shoulao) with a Deer, between c.1550 and c.1644. Creator: Unknown
God of Longevity (Shoulao) with a Deer, between c.1550 and c.1644

Snowy landscape, between 1368 and 1644. Creator: Unknown
Snowy landscape, between 1368 and 1644

Snowy landscape, between 1368 and 1644. Creator: Unknown
Snowy landscape, between 1368 and 1644

Immortal Qiu Chuji (1148-1227), 1503. Creator: Guo Xu (1456-c. 1529)
Immortal Qiu Chuji (1148-1227), 1503. Found in the collection of the Shanghai Museum

Meeting at the Orchid Pavilion. Creator: Wen Zhengming
Meeting at the Orchid Pavilion

Buddha's hand, between 1368 and 1644. Creator: Unknown
Buddha's hand, between 1368 and 1644

Buddha's head, between 1368 and 1644. Creator: Unknown
Buddha's head, between 1368 and 1644

Solitary in a boat. Creator: Wen Zhengming
Solitary in a boat

Bamboo, tree and rock, 206. Creator: Wen Boren
Bamboo, tree and rock, 206

Immortals, between 1547. Creator: Gu Gao
Immortals, between 1547

Autumn forest, c. 1510. Creator: Wen Zhengming (1470-1559)
Autumn forest, c. 1510. Found in the Collection of the Hong Kong Museum of Art

Autumn forest, c. 1510. Creator: Wen Zhengming (1470-1559)
Autumn forest, c. 1510. Found in the Collection of the Hong Kong Museum of Art

Dragon awakening in the spring. Creator: Qiu Ying (1494-1552)
Dragon awakening in the spring. Found in the Collection of the Hong Kong Museum of Art

Dragon awakening in the spring. Creator: Qiu Ying (1494-1552)
Dragon awakening in the spring. Found in the Collection of the Hong Kong Museum of Art

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The Ming Dynasty, a period of Chinese history that spanned from 1368 to 1644, was characterized by its rich cultural and artistic achievements. The Selden Map of China, created by a Chinese master, provides us with valuable insights into the maritime trade routes during this era. Meanwhile, the Great Wall of China stands tall as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reminding us of the architectural prowess and defensive strategies employed during the Ming Dynasty. Artistic expressions flourished during this time as well. Guanyin as the Nine-Lotus Bodhisattva is an exquisite sculpture dating back to 1593. Its creator remains unknown but their skill in capturing spiritual beauty is evident. Similarly, The Eight Hosts of Deva, Naga, and Yakshi showcases intricate craftsmanship from 1454. In Beijing's Temple of Heaven lies a Chinese urn that serves as a testament to Ming-era design aesthetics. It stands proudly against the backdrop of one of China's most iconic landmarks. Paintings also played an essential role in Ming Dynasty artistry. Dai Jin's masterpiece "The Hermit Xu You Resting by a Stream" captures serene tranquility amidst nature's beauty while Yin Hong's "Birds Gather under the Spring Willow" evokes feelings of joy and harmony. Not limited to visual arts alone, Abraham Hendricksz van Beijeren's "Banquet Still Life" portrays lavish feasts enjoyed during this prosperous period. As we explore further into this era’s legacy, we encounter historical remnants such as watchtowers on ancient city walls in Xi'an and depictions like Heavenly King Virudhaka hanging scroll or cast iron sculptures like Seated Monk from around 1490. Finally, Peony Hanging Scroll demonstrates how delicate brushstrokes brought flowers to life on paper in 1532—a testament to both artistic talent and appreciation for natural beauty prevalent throughout the Ming Dynasty.