中国各式各样的传统工艺有着技术和文化的双重价值。本书将分门别类地介绍这些历史悠久的传统工艺，涉及生产、生活的方方面面，不仅停留在对工艺流程的说明、工艺制品的鉴赏，还进一步向读者阐述这些传统工艺背后所反映的昔日的社会生活，以及中华悠久文明的传承。

Preface / 1

History and Background of the Traditional Arts and Crafts of China / 9

Arts and Crafts during the Primitive Society / 10

Arts and Crafts during the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties / 12

Arts and Crafts during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period / 15

Arts and Crafts during the Qin and Han Dynasties / 18

Arts and Crafts during the Six Dynasties / 21

Arts and Crafts during the Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties / 25

Arts and Crafts during the Song, Liao, Jin and Yuan Dynasties / 29

Arts and Crafts during the Ming and Qing Dynasties / 33

Arts and Crafts in the Field of Utensil / 41

Ceramics / 42

Bronze Ware / 48

Lacquer / 54

Arts and Crafts in the Field of Apparel / 59

Embroidery / 60

Printing and Dyeing / 66

Silk Weaving / 69

Arts and Crafts in the Field of Furnishings / 75

Furniture / 76

Gold and Silver Ware, Glassware, Enamelware/81

Bamboo Carving, Wood Carving, Ivory Carving / 89

Arts and Crafts in the Field of Adornment / 97

Jade Artwork / 98

Paper-cut / 103

New Year Picture / 107

Arts and Crafts in the Field of Entertainment / 111

Toy / 112

Kite / 116

Puppet / 120

Silhouette / 124

Arts and Crafts in the Field of Commerce / 129

Shop Sign / 130

Packaging / 132

Legends concerning Traditional Arts and Crafts of China / 137

Yanshi and His Puppets / 140

Lu Ban, a Carpenter Consecrated by Artisans of All Crafts / 140

The Legend of Ganjiang and Moye / 141

The Legend of Brother Kilns / 142

Origin of Kesi Silk / 144

Gourd-shaped Porcelain Canteen and the Yue's Troops / 144

Qiu Changchun, the Forefather of Jade Carving in Beijing / 146

Gong Chun Teapot and Lotus-and-toad Teapot / 147

The Beauty Offered for Sacrifice / 148

Legend about Ceramics with Multicolored Glaze / 148

Origin of Bowl Bottom / 149 Origin of Wax Printing / 150

Bodiless Lacquer Ware Created by Shen Shaoan / 151

Appendix: A Brief Chronology of China / 153