A method and a ceramic made therefrom by: providing a composition of a compound having the formula below and a metallic component, and pyrolyzing the composition. R is an organic group. The value n is a positive integer. Q is an acetylenic repeat unit having an acetylene group, crosslinked acetylene group, (ML.sub.x).sub.y-acetylene complex, and/or crosslinked (ML.sub.x).sub.y-acetylene complex. M is a metal. L is a ligand. The values x and y are positive integers. The metallic component is the (ML.sub.x).sub.y-acetylene complex in the compound or a metallic compound capable of reacting with the acetylenic repeat unit to form the (ML.sub.x).sub.y-acetylene complex. The ceramic comprises metallic nanoparticles. ##STR00001##