The extraordinary artistic achievements of the Song (960 - 1279), the great centralsouthern Chinese dynasty pillaged by the Mongol-tartar tribes until the final conquest by Qublai Khan in 1279, are represented by the unparalleled beauty and refinement of their porcelain, sculpture and painted silk. The cultural influence of the Song can also be seen in the porcelain from the same period of the Liao and the Yuan, stunning examples of which are also to be seen in the exhibition.