Chinese Zodiac Ceramic Group, Late Ming-Early Qing Period

• Ming Dynasty - The Ming Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It succeeded the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was established by Zhu Yuanzhang, a former Buddhist monk who became a rebel leader and eventually overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, China experienced a period of relative stability and prosperity. The government was centralized and bureaucratic, with the emperor at the top of the hierarchy. The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural achievements, including the development of porcelain, the invention of movable type printing, and the construction of the Great Wall of China.
  
  

• Hollow Cast - Hollow casting is a metalworking process used to create hollow objects such as sculptures, jewelry, and other decorative objects. It involves casting metal in a mould that has a cavity in the shape of the desired object.
  
  The process of hollow casting has been used for centuries, and its invention is not attributed to a single individual. However, ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Greeks used this process to create metal objects. In modern times, hollow casting has been used by artists, jewellers, and manufacturers to create a wide range of objects.
  
  The first step in hollow casting is to create a model of the object to be cast from materials such as clay, wax, or metal, and from this a mould is created around it using a material such as plaster, silicone, or rubber. A core is created inside the mold to create the hollow cavity of the final object and then molten metal is poured into the mould, filling the space around the core. The metal is then allowed to cool and harden.
  
  Once the metal has cooled and hardened, the core is removed from the mold, leaving a hollow object which is then finished by removing any excess metal or imperfections and polishing or texturing the surface as desired.
  
  Hollow casting is used to create a wide variety of objects, including sculptures, jewellery, decorative objects, and parts for machinery. The process allows for the creation of complex shapes and details, and can be used with a wide range of metals, including bronze, brass, silver, and gold. Hollow casting is also used in manufacturing to create components such as engine blocks and machine parts.
• Qing Dynasty - The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912. It was established by the Manchu people, who originated from the northeastern region of China. The Qing Dynasty was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Chinese antiquities by dynasty - Ming Dynasty 1,230
• Chinese ceramics, item type - figurines 1,570