{"product_id":"ming-50-years-that-changed-china-9780295994505","title":"Ming: 50 Years that Changed China","description":"\u003cp\u003eAsk anyone what single object they associate with China and the most common answer will be a Ming vase. Probably without even knowing the dates of the Ming dynasty (13681644)  people are aware of the fragility of its porcelain  its rarity and value. But porcelain is just one part of the story of one of the most glorious poques of Chinas past. By focusing on the significant years of the early Ming dynasty and through the themes of court people and their lives  extraordinary developments in culture  the military  religion  diplomacy and trade  this magnificent book brings the wider history of this fascinating period to colorful life.  This was an age of great voyages of exploration  undertaken for many reasons including trade and diplomacy. Long before the regular arrivals of Europeans in China  court-sponsored expeditions were sent to Asia  the Middle East  and the African coast  bringing back knowledge of and objects from lands thousands of miles away--gold  gems and foreign fashions. This period also saw the compilation of the worlds first comprehensive encyclopaedia (worked on by over 2 000 scholars); the undertaking of major building projects such as the Forbidden City and Ming tombs; the creation of beautiful textiles  paintings  ceramics  gold  jewellery  furniture  jade  and lacquer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45648216096821,"sku":"ByrdShop_0295994509","price":147.38,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780295994505.jpg?v=1781713039","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/ming-50-years-that-changed-china-9780295994505","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}