Containing more than 2,500 entries and over 1,000 color plates and line drawings, this book addresses artistic, stylistic, technical, and historical aspects of Chinese ceramics. Entries are grouped into themes such as shapes and forms; ceramic materials and manufacture; decoration methods, glazes, and colors; and marks and inscriptions. Each entry is accompanied by references in Pinyin (phonetic Romanized Chinese) as well as Chinese characters for further verification. Information is rendered instantly accessible through four indices--English, Pinyin, Chinese Classical literature, and museum illustrations.