Ideal as a spur to creative inspiration or as souvenir or introduction to a museum or gallery visit, this beautiful book offers an alternative view of the wide array of Chinese art. The book highlights in close-up and gorgeous colour the most breathtaking aspects of workmanship, materials and design found in stunning ceramics, lacquer, jade, metalwork, brush painting and woodblock printing. The book is arranged thematically and opens with an introduction that asks 'What is Chinese art?' Chapters that follow place the objects and designs into their cultural context. Each of the intriguing and beautiful artworks is then explored further with amazing close-up views, allowing the reader insight even closer than a behind-the-scenes museum tour. By showing the complete artwork alongside a detail, the authors provide a fresh view of each object which often allows intriguing comparisons between seemingly unrelated objects and media. The selection of art and details evoke the hand and eye of the most talented Chinese craftsmen past and present.