A country endowed with an artistic patrimony perhaps unmatched anywhere in the world, China is an extraordinary powerhouse of creativity. The land itself has always been a fruitful starting point, providing abundant raw materials, while festivals corresponding to the ancient lunar calendar still enable local artisans to display and sell their decorative work. Among the items covered in this book are: lacquered boxes with gold and silver inlay; carved and scented boxwood fans; porcelain vases wrapped in finely woven bamboo; glistening silver earrings in the shape of fish; gold brocade children's shoes; and painted clay animals representing the signs of the Zodiac. Achievements in textiles, jewellery, lacquer, ceramics, bamboo, wood and paper are examined, the historical and cultural background defined, and advice on collecting given.