Rose Kerr

Rose Kerr (born February 1953) is an English art historian specializing in Chinese art, especially Chinese ceramics, on which she has written a number of books. After studying Mandarin and Chinese art at the School of Oriental and African Studies (1971–75), she worked at the Percival David Foundation (1976–78). She joined the Far Eastern Department of the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1978. She became the Keeper of the Far Eastern Department in 1987, a post she held until her retirement in 2003.

In 2015, she was made an honorary citizen of Jingdezhen, China, the historic centre of Chinese porcelain production, in recognition of her academic research on Jingdezhen ceramics, and her promotion of cultural exchange between the United Kingdom and China. She was the first non-Chinese citizen to be so honoured.

Early life Rose Kerr was born in February 1953. She graduated in Chinese studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London,

Career Kerr was Keeper of the Far Eastern Department at the Victoria & Albert Museum until her retirement in 2003. a Trustee of the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art; and Museum Expert Advisor for the Hong Kong Government. She is a former president of the Oriental Ceramic Society of London (2000-2003).

Kerr visits Asia frequently and has undertaken sabbaticals at the National Palace Museum, Taipei, and the Shanghai Museum. She has taught at the universities of London, Sussex, Glasgow, and Oslo, and was a lecturer for the UK National Association of Decorative and Fine Art Societies for many years.

Honours In 2015, Kerr was created an honorary citizen of Jingdezhen, China, the historic centre of Chinese porcelain production, in recognition of her "outstanding contribution to academic research on Jingdezhen ceramics, and the promotion of cultural exchange between the UK and China", the first non-Chinese citizen to be so honoured. Marvels of Celadon : The Shan Shan Tang Collection of Yaozhou Wares, The Art Institute of Chicago, Hong Kong, 2019. (co-author) 宜興紫砂陶的海外效應 Overseas Effect of Yixing Zisha-stoneware, Yixing Ceramic Museum, Yixing, 2018. (co-author) Preface to 'Jingdezhen to the World: The Lurie Collection of Chinese Export Porcelain from the Late Ming Dynasty' by Teresa Canepa, 2019

2020s 'Song Dynasty Ceramics' 2nd Edition, in English and Chinese, CA Publishing, Hong Kong, 2020 'The Edrina Collection of Tang to Qing Export wares', Spring Field Consulting, 2020 ' Dazzling Official Jun Wares from Museums and Collections around the World' ACC Art Books/CA Publishing 2021 ' 虚中为用。中国陶瓷的永宣之美 Voids in Clay. The Enduring Beauty of Chinese Ceramics, 3MER Publishing, The Netherlands, 2022 ' Yaozhou Wares from Museums and Art Institutes Around the World, including Yaozhou Tribute Wares'; ACC Art Books 2021 ' Jade Green and Kingfisher Blue: Longquan Wares from Museums and Art Institutes around the world'; ACC Art Books 2022 'Kindred Spirits - 100 Japanese ceramics in Chinese style'; Arnoldsche Art Publishers, 2024 ( with Clare Pollard, Maezaki Shinya, Ai Fukunaga; foreword by Patrick Kwok) "李约瑟。中国科学技术史。第五卷化学及相关技术。第十二分册陶瓷技术. Translation of Joseph Needham’s Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 5, Part 12, Ceramic Technology (Science Press and Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House, Beijing, 2025)" ' The Significance of Jade in China's Culture, History, and Art'; a contributing essay. Published by the Woolf Family Trust/Christies International, 2025 ' Marchant. One Hundred Years 1925-2025'. Editor Published by Marchant, 2025 The Enduring Charm of Ru Ware from Museums and Art Institutes Around the World (CA Publishing, Hong Kong, 2026)