China is the largest country in Asia and the most populous country in the world. As one of the world’s oldest civilisations, it has re-emerged as a major economy in the modern period.

Chinese objects have been a part of the British Museum since its establishment based on the collection of Sir Hans Sloane. The collection has since grown to about 23,000 objects that span the Neolithic age to the present. It includes a wide range of objects such as paintings, prints, jade, bronzes, lacquer and ceramics that reflect the richness and diversity of China that has long been internationally connected.

Among the most representative objects in the collection are inscribed bronze ritual vessels from early China, beautifully crafted porcelain, and some of China’s oldest surviving paintings on silk. The collection continues to be enhanced by contemporary acquisitions that demonstrate China’s continued cultural vitality.

Learn more about China by exploring the stories, blog posts and videos below.