QING Dynasty (1644-1912 CE)
China’s last imperial dynasty, the Qing (also known as the Great Qing), was led by the Manchus, who succeeded the Han Chinese rulers. It was a period of prolific cultural and artistic achievement, particularly during the 18th century, when the Qing empire was the largest and most prosperous in the world.
Seeking to evoke the grandeur of China’s ancient ceremonial traditions, the Qing court emulated the sophisticated craftsmanship of the Shang (c.1600–1046 BCE) and Zhou (c.1046–256 BCE) dynasties. As a result, archaistic bronzes bearing the designs of ancient ritual vessels continued to be reproduced.