More than any other civilisation, China is renowned for its long tradition of ceramic production. These works have been admired and collected over centuries for their outstanding quality and refinement. Now 200 masterpieces from private collections have been brought together for the first time. The Baur Collections in Geneva, formed between 1928 and 1951, and the Zhuyuetang Collection (the Bamboo and Moon Pavilion in Hong Kong), which has been building since the late 1980s, reveal the elegance and variety of imperial monochrome porcelain wares produced during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, which followed on from the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) periods. These restrained pieces both profane and sacred - exemplify the values of simplicity and modesty espoused by classical Chinese texts. This book will be a key reference on Chinese monochrome ceramics for all lovers of the subject, as well as students, researchers and connoisseurs.