Chinese pottery and porcelain; vol. 1. Pottery and early wares

"Chinese Pottery and Porcelain; vol. 1. Pottery and Early Wares" by R. L. Hobson is a scholarly work on ceramics, written in the early 20th century. The book provides a detailed examination of the potter's art in China, tracing its development from primitive times through various dynasties, focusing specifically on pottery and early wares. It likely appeals to enthusiasts of art history, archaeology, and ceramics, offering insights into the cultural significance and craftsmanship of Chinese pottery. The opening of the work presents an introduction that situates the reader in the vastness of the Chinese Empire and its historical context for pottery production. The author discusses the early origins of pottery in China, asserting that it dates back to prehistoric times, though specific records are sparse. Hobson elaborates on notable ancient figures in Chinese history related to potter's craft and the evolution of ceramic techniques and styles through different dynasties, including the Chou and Han. He also acknowledges the limitations of existing knowledge concerning pottery from periods prior to more recent excavations and research, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of Chinese ceramics throughout the volume. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert Lockhart Hobson CB was a British civil servant and antiquarian. He was keeper of the Department of Ceramics and Ethnography at the British Museum and an authority on Far Eastern ceramics. He was noted for his cataloguing which The Times described as establishing firm facts for what had previously been "surmise and unproved tradition" and he was highly influential through his writing in the elevation of Chinese ceramics from craft works to the status of objects of fine art. He was president of the Oriental Ceramic Society from 1939 to 1942.