The fine tea wares of ancient Chinese dynasties is on display at Taicang Museum from Nov 29 to Dec 27.

The exhibition consists of four parts from the Neolithic Age to Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) with 85 tea wares or tea sets of different textures, showing its development history as well as the features of different eras.

Part One: from the Neolithic Age to Sui Dynasty (581-618)

The drinking of tea in China can be traced back to the times of Chinese emperor Shennong, a legendary ruler of China and a cultural hero, that is, the Neolithic Age and at that time, tea leaves were used as medicinal herbs.

At the times of Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) to Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), drinking tea had become very common among notables and during Wu Dynasty (222-280), they started to focus on different boiling tea methods.

Tea gradually changed from precious luxury to a common beverage at the times of Song Dynasty (420-479), one of the kingdoms of the Southern Dynasties (420-589) in ancient China to Sui Dynasty (581-618).

Black clay mug with a cover and a handle from the Neolithic Age. [Photo/WeChat account: taicangdaily]

Stamped hard clay cup from the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220). [Photo/WeChat account: taicangdaily]

Green-glazed porcelain stove from the Three Kingdoms (220-280). [Photo/WeChat account: taicangdaily]