A richly illustrated history of ceramics from antiquity to the modern period. Edited by Robert J. Charleston, the book brings together contributions by specialists and examines pottery and porcelain from different civilizations and historical periods. It combines historical interpretation with extensive visual documentation. World Ceramics offers a comprehensive survey of the history of ceramic art and craftsmanship. The work is organised geographically and stylistically and covers the development of pottery and porcelain across different cultures and periods. It considers ceramics both as utilitarian objects and as decorative and artistic creations. The book ranges from ancient ceramic traditions through the major historical centres of production to more recent developments. Particular attention is given to the diversity of techniques, forms, decorative traditions and materials. The extensive illustrations make it possible to compare ceramic objects from different regions and periods. The volume is especially useful as a general reference work for collectors and anyone interested in the history of pottery porcelain and ceramic art. The 1977 Hamlyn edition is a large-format illustrated edition with 352 pages. Robert J. Charleston (1916-1994) was a British-Swedish museum curator and specialist in ceramics and glass. He worked at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, where he became Keeper of Ceramics and Glass. He published extensively on ceramics, porcelain and glass and was a recognised authority in these fields.The 1977 edition includes contributions by specialists including John Ayers, David Boston, R. Charles, Francesca Dreier, Géza Fehérvári, Arthur Lane, Giovanni Liverani, A. H. Megaw, John Palmer, Bernard Rackham, Donald C. Towner and others. (AI-generated content description)