Page 2 - Kangxi Porcelain, A Primer
P. 2
THE KANGXI EMPEROR
• Father Shunzhi (a Manchu) first Qing dynasty emperor, died age 22
• Kangxi Born 1654
• Second Qing Dynasty emperor
• Ascended to the throne age 7, assumed power formally age 13.
• Instrumental in unifying China following the end of the Ming Dynasty.
• First Chinese leader to play a western instrument, a Spinet
• Appointed Christian Jesuits to run the imperial observatory
• 35 sons and 20 daughters, many died before the age of 3.
• China’s longest living ruler.
• Encouraged foreign trade and relations with numerous countries.
• Patron of Arts and Letters, a time of scholarly encouragement.
• Died as one of China’s most important and most admired emperors.
*Revived the kilns at Jingdezhen after decades of neglect and wars.
