Chinese History Timeline

This Chinese history timeline shows a simplified chronology of major dynasties covering a period of several thousand years (BC2207 - AD1911).

(No guarantee given for accuracy of content.)

Porcelain manufacturing reached its zenith during the Ming and Qing dynasties. For identifying porcelain manufacturing marks the chronology of the Chinese emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties may be of more interest.
Unless your interest is more with ancient types of ceramics and pottery preceding the Ming dynasty, the detailed reign names and dates of the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors (1368-1911) will be of more relevance.

The origin of porcelain in its current form is attributed to the Song dynasty. Full development is seen during the Ming dynasty and it peaked in the Qing dynasty.

Due to the scarcity of remaining blue and white and polychromous porcelain items from the Song and Yuan dynasties, today's collector of antique Chinese porcelain is mostly limited to Ming, Qing and Republic era porcelain.

Ming and Qing dynasty timeline and emperors' reign names

History and Event Notation in the Chinese Calendar:

Chinese Calendar and Year Notation

Chinese 60 year Cyclic Calendar

Ming and Qing Emperors in Chinese

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