Plates of power and harmony on display

Alfred Baur's collection shows the history of Chinese ceramics from the Tang to the Qing dynasties. [Provided to China Daily]

Alfred Baur's collection of 756 Chinese ceramic works in the Museum of Far Eastern Art, Geneva has acquired a worldwide reputation. Selected for their perfection and harmony of form and decoration, these pieces give an overall idea of the history of Chinese ceramics from the Tang (AD 618-907) to the Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

Particularly well represented are monochromes from the Song Dynasty (960-1279), as well as Qing Dynasty imperial wares produced in the kilns at Jingdezhen during the reigns of the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors (1661 to 1795).

His collection of some 137 carved jade vessels, is made up of vases, incense burners and bowls, which date from the 18th to the 20th century.

Baur much admired the so-called Mughalstyle pieces, with semi-translucent sides carved in low relief with themes borrowed from the Indian or Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Baur also collected more than 500 snuff bottles.

Date: Tues to Sun

Venue: Museum of Far Eastern Art, 8 rue Munier-Romilly, Geneva

Website: http://fondation-baur.ch/

China Daily