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A History of the World in 100 Objects

Factual: History

Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, retells humanity's history through objects

Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, narrates 100 programmes that retell humanity's history through the objects we have made.

A History of the World in 100 Objects: Status Symbols (1200 - 1400 AD): The David Vases

The David Vases

Status Symbols (1200 - 1400 AD)

A History of the World in 100 Objects Omnibus

BBC Radio 4 - A History of the World in 100 Objects, Status Symbols (1200 - 1400 AD), The David VasesSearch BBC

Neil MacGregor - and the transformation of ordinary clay into beautiful Chinese porcelain.

Human history as told through things left behind. Today, Neil MacGregor is with a pair of blue-and-white porcelain vases from Yuan dynasty China.

The history of the world as told through objects that time has left behind. This week Neil MacGregor, the director of the British Museum, has chosen some of the great status symbols of the world around 700 years ago - objects with quite surprising links across the globe. Today he is with a pair of porcelain vases from Yuan dynasty China. This instantly recognisable blue-and-white designed porcelain - that we usually associate with the Ming Dynasty - rapidly became influential and desirable around the world. Neil describes the history of porcelain and the use of these vases in a temple setting. The historian Craig Clunas talks about the volatile world of Yuan China while the writer Jenny Uglow tries to put her finger on just why we find Chinese porcelain so appealing.

Producer: Anthony Denselow


A History of the World in 100 Objects: Status Symbols (1200 - 1400 AD)

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Neil MacGregor examines objects which hold status and required skilful making

Neil MacGregor explores this period of learning and scientific achievement through magnificent objects which were used by the wealthy to reflect their status

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A History of the World in 100 Objects

Status Symbols (1200 - 1400 AD)

The David Vases

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