Lord Lever favoured the blue-and-white and enamelled Kangxi-period Chinese porcelain. He collected between 1894 and 1925 when European tastes were rapidly changing. Early in the period Chinese porcelain was as much desirable for decoration as it was interesting in itself; it complemented the 18th- century-style pre-occupation of many of Lever's contemporary collectors.

By 1910, the blue-and-white hawthorn jars had become sought after and enamelled famille noire porcelains priceless; towards the end of Lever's life, earlier dynasties were more favoured. After deciding to establish the Gallery in 1913, he broadened the scope of his purchases to include items of more general interest: carved headstones, glass pictures and Ming dynasty 'fahua' ceramics but his collection remained very conservative. That apart, the Gallery houses one of the finest collections of 17th and 18th century porcelain in the world.

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Figure of Guanyin Liu Zhen Northern China,Chenghua Reign (1465 - 1487), 1484 Stoneware with coloured glazes; 140 x 73.3 x 48 cm Purchased by the 2nd Viscount Leverhulme, c 1937	Altar Ornament Qianlong reign (1736 - 1795 ) Porcelain enamelled over the glaze in 'famille rose' colours, with jade, coral and ivory; 70.6 x 63.6 x 39.8 cm Purchased by Lord Lever, 1920.
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Glass Picture Probably painted in Guangzhou, Qianlong reign (1736 - 1795) c 1760 - 1780.  A Shepherdess and falconer Painted and mirrored glass; 55.3 x 43.2 cm   Purchased by Lever, 1918.

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