An ongoing porcelain exhibition featuring more than 100 vases, plates, brush pots and cups showcases different aspects of society in 17th century China.

The exhibition, Commissioned Landscapes: Blue and White Porcelains of the 17th Century, is the first of its kind to focus on porcelain produced by folk kilns during a period when royal kilns had stopped production.

The porcelains on display at the Guardian Art Center in Beijing were from Classy Society, a group of collectors concentrating on porcelain from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. The group consists of more than 250 collectors, antique dealers, scholars and connoisseurs.

Unlike ceramics made for royal families that had restrictions on the patterns and pictures painted on them, the subjects and pictures on folk kiln-produced porcelain are diverse. Folk tales, legends and stories from novels and operas are all featured on the vases, plates and cups.

During the 17th century, society experienced ups and downs due to the change of dynasties. So, scholar-officials and the literati turned their attention to artistic things, such as gardens, paintings and ceramics.

Customized porcelain was particularly popular then.

In addition to the porcelain show, there is also an exhibition of furniture from the Ming Dynasty and an exhibition of bronzeware and stationery from the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-96).

All three exhibitions are being held by private collectors in conjunction with Guardian Art Center, which opened in October in Beijing.

If you go

10 am-6 pm, through Nov 19. 1 Wangfujing Avenue, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6518-9968.