Chinese Chronology

Use this section only as a starting point. Once you have narrowed your Style_Period options down, go to Getty AAT to find the authority record for the term you need.

These terms are to be used for Style/Period. The hierarchy and overlap of terms can be confusing, but typically, just one Style/Period term will be sufficient for an image record. Common terms appear below in bold. Include as many terms as are applicable, but give preference to a more specific term; e.g., use Western Zhou rather than Zhou.

Note: we and our authorities prefer the pinyin system of romanization over the deprecated Wade-Giles system. These styles are indicated in Getty ULAN. Note: In Chinese locations, the suffix “sheng” indicates a province name, and “xian” indicates a county. For example: the province Anhui maybe be written as Anhui Sheng. See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_names_in_China

Chinese dynastic styles and periods

Xia (culture, period) - ca. 2000-1500 BCE

Erlitou

Shang - 1700-1027 BCE Shang styles:

Zhou (culture):

Qin (style and period) - 221-207 BCE

Han (Chinese):

Three Kingdoms (Chinese) - 220 to 280 CE (after fall of Han)

Southern and Northern Dynasties - 265 to 581 CE:

Sui - 589 to 618 CE

Tang (Chinese style)- 618 to 907 CE

Five Dynasties:

Liao

Jin (Golden Tartars)

Song (Chinese style):

Yüan - 1279-1368

Ming - 1368-1644:

Qing - 1644-1911:

Xiongnu

Xixia