China Pottery Through the Ages

China pottery has a rich history that spans thousands of years. The earliest known Chinese pottery dates back to the Neolithic period, around 18,000 years ago.

From the Shang Dynasty to the Han Dynasty, Chinese pottery evolved significantly, with the introduction of new techniques and glazes. The Shang Dynasty is notable for its simple, unglazed pottery, while the Han Dynasty saw the development of more intricate designs and the use of glazes.

The Han Dynasty's pottery was highly prized for its beauty and durability, and was often used in rituals and ceremonies. This era saw the rise of the famous Chinese ceramics kilns in the province of Jingdezhen.

Ancient China Pottery has a rich history that spans over 7,000 to 8,000 years, dating back to the Neolithic period.

The earliest forms of pottery were made by human ancestors in China, who started making and using pottery during this time.

Chinese porcelain is one of the most important inventions of ancient China, with the first porcelain being made in the Eastern Han Dynasty.

People made ancient porcelain in the early Shang dynasty, and it's amazing to think about the skill and craftsmanship that went into creating these beautiful pieces.

Chinese pottery is also known as Chinese ceramics, made from clay and heat-hardened, and is renowned for its quality and beauty.

The influence of Chinese porcelain on European pottery has been profound, and it's still celebrated for its intricate designs and delicate patterns.

Different types of wares were made in ancient China, including pottery, china, banshan ware, yingqing ware, ding, dongquan ware, cizhou kiln, and jian ware.

In Western tradition, ceramics are often grouped into three main categories: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain.

The Chinese tradition, on the other hand, recognizes only two primary categories of ceramics: high-fired and low-fired.

High-fired ceramics are often associated with the property of translucence, which is not a defining feature in China, where any thick or opaque piece that rings with a clear note on being struck would be regarded as porcelain.

Chinese ceramic wares can also be classified as being either northern or southern, which is largely determined by the contrasting geology of the two regions.

The north and south have different raw materials available for making ceramics, which has led to differences in the ceramics produced in each region.

Chinese pottery is also known as Chinese ceramics, made of clay and heat-hardened. It's one of the oldest and most widespread types of pottery in the world.

Porcelain, in particular, is a type of pottery made in China that's known for its whiteness and translucence. The Chinese tradition defines porcelain as "fine, compact pottery" and considers it a high-fired category of ceramics.

Earthenware is another type of pottery that's been produced in China for thousands of years, often used for utilitarian purposes. Stoneware, fired at higher temperatures, is also a common type of pottery in China, known for its water resistance.

Blanc de Chine is a type of white porcelain made in Dehua, Fujian province, characterized by its small amount of iron oxide, which allows it to be fired in an oxidizing atmosphere to a warm white or pale ivory color.

Green or Celadon wares are a major group of pottery that gets its name from the iron oxide glaze, which gives a range of colours centred on a jade or olive green.

This glaze is similar to the colours found in jade, a highly prestigious material in Chinese art. The broad resemblance between celadon and jade is a big part of what makes celadon so attractive to the Chinese.

Celadons are often plain, but can also be decorated in relief, which may be carved, inscribed or moulded. This adds an extra layer of beauty and interest to the pottery.

Important types of celadon wares include Yue ware, Yaozhou ware and the wider Northern Celadons, Ru ware, Guan ware, and finally Longquan celadon.

Jizhou ware was a type of stoneware, mostly used for tea drinking. It's a great example of how pottery can be used for a specific purpose.

One of the most distinctive features of Jizhou ware was its glaze effects, including a "tortoiseshell" glaze. This glaze created a unique, mottled pattern that added to the overall beauty of the piece.

The use of real leaves as glaze resists was also a notable aspect of Jizhou ware production. The leaves would burn away during firing, leaving their outlines in the glaze.

Jizhou ware is still admired today for its beauty and craftsmanship.

On a similar theme: How to Glaze a Ceramic Pot

The history of pottery in China is a long and fascinating one, dating back about 7,000 to 8,000 years to the Neolithic period. This is when human ancestors first started making and using pottery.

One of the most significant inventions in ancient China was porcelain, which was first made in the early Shang dynasty. However, the definition of porcelain is still a topic of debate, with some claiming it was made as early as the late Eastern Han period (100 to 200 C.E.).

The Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907 AD) saw a wide range of ceramics being produced, including fine earthenwares, sancai wares, and Yue ware, which was a high-fired, lime-glazed celadon. The northern porcelains of this period were particularly notable, meeting the Western and Eastern definition of porcelain as being both pure white and translucent.

Here are some key dates in the history of Chinese pottery:

Tang Sancai burial wares were northern wares made using white and buff-firing secondary kaolins and fire clays.

The clays used for burial wares were similar to those used by Tang potters at kiln sites located at Tongchuan, Neiqui county in Hebei and Gongxian in Henan.

Burial wares, such as the well-known representations of camels and horses, were cast in sections, in molds with the parts joined together using clay slip.

These figurines were either painted in sancai or merely coated in white slip, often with paint added over the glaze, which has now mostly been lost.

A degree of individuality was imparted to the assembled figurines by hand-carving in some cases.

Here are some examples of Tang Sancai burial wares:

Qingbai wares were made at Jingdezhen and at many other southern kilns from the time of the Northern Song Dynasty until they were eclipsed in the fourteenth century by underglaze-decorated blue and white wares.

The qingbai glaze is a porcelain glaze, so-called because it was made using porcelain stone, and contains iron in small amounts, which gives it a greenish-blue color.

Some qingbai wares have incised or molded decorations, and the body of the bowl is white, translucent, and has the texture of very-fine sugar, indicating that it was made using crushed and refined porcelain stone.

The glaze and the body of the bowl would have been fired together, in a saggar, possibly in a large wood-burning dragon kiln or climbing kiln, typical of southern kilns in the period.

Many Song and Yuan qingbai bowls were fired upside down in special segmented saggars, a technique first developed at the Ding kilns in Hebei province.

The rims of such wares were left unglazed but were often bound with bands of silver, copper, or lead.

One remarkable example of qingbai porcelain is the so-called Fonthill Vase, described in a guide for Fonthill Abbey published in 1823, which was made at Jingdezhen, probably around 1300, and was sent as a present to Pope Benedict XII by one of the last Yuan emperors of China, in 1338.

Here's a list of the key characteristics of qingbai wares:

The early history of pottery is a fascinating topic. Pottery has been made in China for about 7,000 to 8,000 years, dating back to the Neolithic period.

Fragments of pottery vessels dating from around 9000 B.C.E. were found at the Xianrendong site in Jiangxi province. These early wares were hand-made by coiling and fired in bonfires.

The Xianrendong site was occupied from about 9000 B.C.E. to about 4000 B.C.E. During this period, two types of pottery were made: coarse-bodied wares possibly intended for everyday use and finer, thinner-bodied wares possibly intended for ritual use or special occasions.

Some of the earliest known Chinese ceramics include a water jar from the Neolithic period, a painted pot with frog motifs from the Majiayao culture, and a large grey mug from the Henan Longshan culture.

Here are some examples of early Chinese pottery:

The Song dynasty, which lasted from 907 to 1276, is often credited with producing some of the most exquisite pottery in Chinese history. The artistic emphasis of Song pottery was on subtle glaze effects and graceful shapes.

The pottery of the Song dynasty was highly prized for its beauty and craftsmanship, with many pieces featuring underglaze blue designs, but Confucian esthetics emphasized simplicity, so these designs were not as popular. The emphasis on simplicity led to a focus on monochrome glazes and shapes.

In the Song dynasty, green ware or celadons were extremely popular, both in China and in export markets, and were often imitated in other areas. This period also saw the development of new kiln sites and stoneware styles, including Ru, Jun, Southern Song Guan, Jian, and Jizhou.

The Formative Period, which spanned from the emergence of settled agriculture to around 1600 BCE, was marked by significant advances in technology and social organization. This period laid the groundwork for the development of complex societies.

The invention of the wheel around 4000 BCE revolutionized transportation and trade. It enabled the creation of more efficient and productive societies.

The rise of cities and the emergence of specialized labor led to the growth of social hierarchies. As cities grew, so did the complexity of social structures.

The development of writing around 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia allowed for the recording of laws, business transactions, and stories. This marked a significant milestone in human communication.

The introduction of new technologies such as the plow and irrigation systems improved agricultural productivity and allowed for the growth of cities.

The Shang dynasty was a significant period in ancient Chinese history, spanning from around 1600 to 1046 BCE. It's remarkable to think about the advancements made in pottery technology during this time.

Shang potters developed a hard-bodied, high-fire stoneware and pottery glazes, which allowed for the creation of durable and decorative vessels. These glazes were applied in liquid form to the vessel, resulting in a thin, hard, yellowish green finish.

A small quantity of stoneware from this period features intricate designs, including chevrons and key-fret patterns, which were likely used for ceremonial purposes. These motifs are reminiscent of those found on contemporary bronze vessels.

The Shang dynasty also saw the development of a fine soft-bodied white ware, which was probably used for ceremonial purposes and decorated with motifs similar to those on ritual bronzes. This ware was made using kaolin, a material later used in the production of porcelain.

The Han Dynasty, which spanned from 202 BC to 220 AD, was a time of significant artistic and cultural development in ancient China. During this period, ceramic production flourished, and many beautiful and intricate pieces were created.

One of the most notable types of ceramic vessels from this era is the "soul jar", also known as the "hunping." These funerary jars were decorated with sculptural compositions on top and became widespread during the following Jin dynasty.

The Han Dynasty also saw the development of green-glazed pottery, which was used for some tomb figures and other decorative items. However, this type of glaze was not used for functional wares, as the raw lead made it poisonous.

Archaeologists have found many ceramic pieces from the Han Dynasty, including statues, vases, and figurines. Some of these pieces are incredibly detailed and showcase the advanced craftsmanship of the time.

Here are some examples of ceramic pieces from the Han Dynasty:

The Sui and Tang Dynasties, spanning from 581 to 907 AD, were a time of great innovation and creativity in Chinese ceramics. During this period, a wide range of ceramics, low-fired and high-fired, were produced.

The Sui Dynasty saw the development of a white bisque protecting glaze, while the Tang Dynasty introduced new techniques for decorating with bright colors by painting, stamping, and mold printing. These techniques led to the creation of the well-known Tang lead-glazed sancai (three-color) wares.

The Tang Dynasty was also the time when Chinese porcelain was first exported along the Silk Road and overseas to Japan and Korea, Southeast, South and Central Asia, the Mediterranean coast, and North and East Africa. This marked the beginning of the "Porcelain Road".

One of the most significant ceramic innovations of the Tang Dynasty was the production of high-fired, translucent porcelains at kilns in the provinces of Henan and Hebei. These porcelains met the Western and Eastern definition of porcelain, being both pure white and translucent.

The Tang Dynasty also saw the development of underglaze painting, which was first used regularly at the Changsha Tongguan Kiln Site in Tongguan. However, this technique remained minor for several centuries.

Some of the most notable ceramics from the Sui and Tang Dynasties include the sancai glazed pottery horse, the ceramic offering plate with "three colors" glaze, and the Statue of Heavenly Guardian, Polychrome glazed pottery.

Here are some notable ceramics from the Sui and Tang Dynasties:

During the Liao, Song, Western Xia, and Jin dynasties, pottery production continued, but with a twist. The artistic traditions of the ruling nomadic people merged with Chinese traditions, producing new styles.

The Song dynasty is particularly notable for its emphasis on subtle glaze effects and graceful shapes. This is evident in the "Five Great Kilns" that became famous for their high-quality ceramics.

The artistic emphasis of Song pottery was on subtle glaze effects and graceful shapes. Other decoration was mostly in shallow relief, initially carved with a knife and later with moulds.

Green ware or celadons were extremely popular, both in China and in export markets. This was partly due to their increasing importance during the period.

Important kiln sites included Ru, Jun, Southern Song Guan, Jian, and Jizhou. These kilns produced a wide variety of styles, some of which were imitated in other areas.

The fine pottery of this period was mainly high-fired, with some earthenware produced for its lower cost and more colourful glazes.

The Yuan Dynasty, which lasted from 1279 to 1368, was a significant period in Chinese history marked by the Mongol Empire's influence on art and technology. This era saw the introduction of blue and white porcelain, a style that would become iconic in Chinese ceramics.

The Mongols brought a major stylistic and technical influence from the Islamic world, which is evident in the use of cobalt underglaze painting. This innovation, often described as the "last great innovation in ceramic technology", allowed for the creation of vibrant and intricate designs.

One of the most notable characteristics of Yuan Dynasty ceramics is the use of blue and white qinqhua, a style that was initially made for export but later became acceptable at court. The deep color of youlihong, tinted with red underglaze, was also a hallmark of this period.

The city of Jingdezhen emerged as a major production center for porcelain, thanks to improvements in water transportation and the re-unification under Mongol rule. This led to a significant increase in production, with kilns becoming industrialized and ownership shifting to commercial syndicates.

Some notable examples of Yuan Dynasty ceramics include the blue and white vase from around 1300, the celadon shoulder pot with relief peaches and lotuses, and the Qingbai porcelain vase from the 14th century.

Here are some key characteristics of Yuan Dynasty ceramics:

The Ming Dynasty, which lasted from 1368 to 1644, was a time of great innovation in ceramic manufacture. This period saw the introduction of new techniques in design and shapes, with a focus on color and painted design.

The Yongle Emperor, who ruled from 1402 to 1424, was particularly curious about other countries and enjoyed unusual shapes, often inspired by Islamic metalwork. His support of the eunuch Zheng He's extended exploration of the Indian Ocean brought back new ideas and influences.

The Xuande period, which spanned from 1426 to 1435, saw a technical refinement in the preparation of cobalt used for underglaze blue decoration. By adding manganese, the color was made duller, but the line crisper, resulting in some of the finest Ming porcelain.

Enamelled decoration was perfected under the Chenghua Emperor, who ruled from 1464 to 1487. This technique was greatly prized by later collectors and became a hallmark of Ming porcelain.

The late Ming Dynasty saw a dramatic shift towards a market economy, with porcelain being exported around the world on an unprecedented scale. The kilns at Jingdezhen became the main production center for large-scale porcelain exports to Europe, starting with the reign of the Wanli Emperor, who ruled from 1572 to 1620.

Here's a list of some of the notable innovations of the Ming Dynasty:

The Song dynasty was a period of great refinement in Chinese porcelain, spanning from 960 to 1279. During this time, the city of Jingdezhen became the main production hub for Imperial porcelain.

The five greatest Song porcelains were ivory-white ding ware from Hebei Province, elegant blue ru ware from Henan, the transmuted jun style from Henan, crackled ge porcelain from Zhejiang, and delicate blackwares from the imperial kilns at Huangzhou.

The origins of China's crackled glaze porcelains date back to the Song dynasty, specifically during the reign of Emperor Huizong (1100-1126). This period saw the emergence of five famous kilns, including the Guan, Ru, and Jun kilns.

One of the most notable features of Song dynasty porcelain is the crackled glaze, which was caused by an accident during the firing process. The glaze surface would crack and split, but remain smooth to the touch.

Here are some notable Song dynasty porcelains:

The Yuan dynasty, which followed the Song dynasty, also produced notable porcelains, including blue-and-white qinqhua and the deep color of the youlihong, tinted with red underglaze.

Tang sancai burial wares were made using white and buff-firing secondary kaolins and fire clays.

The colors used to decorate these wares were not limited to three, but often included green, yellow, and white, which earned them the nickname "egg-and-spinach" in the West.

The clays used for burial wares were similar to those used by Tang potters at kiln sites in Tongchuan, Neiqiu County in Hebei, and Gongyi in Henan.

Burial wares were fired at a lower temperature than contemporaneous whitewares.

Tang dynasty tomb figures were cast in sections, in molds with the parts joined together using clay slip.

In some cases, a degree of individuality was imparted to the assembled figurines by hand-carving.

Tang burial wares were often coated in white slip, with paint added over the glaze, although this paint has mostly been lost.

Chinese porcelain is made from a combination of specific materials.

Kaolin, an essential ingredient, is composed largely of the clay mineral kaolinite.

Porcelain stone, also known as petunse, is decomposed micaceous or feldspar rocks.

Feldspar and quartz are two other key materials used in the production of Chinese porcelain.

Here is a breakdown of the main materials used:

Chinese pottery has a rich classification system that's worth understanding. The Chinese tradition recognizes two primary categories of ceramics: high-fired (cí瓷) and low-fired (táo陶).

The distinction between these categories is crucial, as it affects the type of ceramics produced. High-fired ceramics, like the tea bowls in Jian ware, are made at higher temperatures and are naturally impervious to water.

Porcelain, on the other hand, is a bit of a misnomer in the Chinese tradition. It's often used to describe both high-fired ceramics and stoneware, which is confusing. In reality, stoneware is a type of ceramic that's fired at a lower temperature than porcelain, but has similar characteristics.

The geology of China also plays a significant role in the classification of Chinese pottery. The country is divided into two distinct regions, the north and the south, each with its own unique clay body and kiln types.

Porcelain is a term that covers a wide range of high-fired ceramics, some of which may not be recognized as porcelain by Western definitions.

In China, the term for porcelain (Chinese: 瓷, cí) encompasses a broad category of ceramics that are fired at high temperatures. The Chinese tradition recognizes two primary categories of ceramics: high-fired (cí瓷) and low-fired (táo陶), with stoneware often grouped with porcelain.

Chinese enamelled wares are produced using a similar process to porcelain, but with enamels added after the first high-temperature firing. The pieces are then fired again in a second round via a smaller, lower-temperature kiln.

Porcelain is usually green-fired or once-fired, meaning the body and glaze are fired together in a single process. This process fuses the body and glaze together to create a unit.

Chinese pottery can be classified as being either northern or southern, which is influenced by the contrasting geology of the two regions.

A unique perspective: How to Glue Clay Pottery Back Together

The Chinese porcelain industry developed a system of classification based on the dominant element in each colour palette, known as the "famille" groups.

These groups were named after their French names, with famille verte, rose, and noire being some of the most well-known.

Famille verte, adopted during the Kangxi period (1661–1722), uses green and iron red with other overglaze colours.

Famille rose, introduced around 1720, used mainly pink or purple and allowed for a greater range of colour and tone.

This made it possible to depict more complex images, which remained popular throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.

The famille groups were not only used for export wares, but also for porcelain made for the Imperial court.

Here's a brief overview of the main famille groups:

Let's take a look at some notable pottery. The Kangxi period is particularly notable for its porcelain, which was highly prized for its whiteness and translucency.

The Qianlong Emperor's reign saw a significant increase in the use of cobalt blue pigment, resulting in some of the most beautiful and intricate designs in Chinese history. This period also saw the development of the Famille Rose style, characterized by its pink and red hues.

The Qing dynasty's reign over China led to the establishment of the Imperial Kilns, where some of the finest porcelain was produced.

Jian pottery originated in Fujian province, China, specifically in the kilns of Jianyang. They were mainly made for tea wares.

The Jian blackwares were made using local, iron-rich clays and fired in an oxidizing atmosphere at temperatures around 1300°C. This process produced a distinctive glaze.

These wares reached the peak of their popularity during the Song dynasty (960 to 1279 C.E.). They were highly valued for their unique appearance.

Jian tea wares were known for their bluish-black color and hare's fur patterning in the glaze. This patterning resulted from the random effect of phase separation during early cooling in the kiln.

The glaze was made using clay similar to that used for forming the body, but fluxed with wood-ash. At high temperatures, the molten glaze separated to produce a pattern called hare's fur.

Jian tea wares were also valued for their ability to retain heat due to their thick fabric. This made them ideal for serving tea.

These wares were highly prized and copied in Japan, where they were known as tenmoku wares.

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Jun ware was a third style of porcelain used at the Northern Song court.

Its body is thicker than Ding or Ru ware, making it more robust.

The glaze on Jun ware is turquoise and purple, appearing to melt off the golden-brown body.

It was appreciated at the court of Emperor Huizong, despite the difference in thickness between fine and robust pieces.

Jun production was centred at Jun-tai in Yuzhou, Henan Province.

Chinese potters have a long tradition of borrowing design and decorative features from earlier wares. This can sometimes pose problems of provenance, but it's not the same as making fakes or reproductions.

Fakes and reproductions have been made at many times during the history of Chinese ceramics, and they continue to be made today in increasing numbers. They're often so convincing that even experts can be fooled.

At Jingdezhen, the two remaining wood-fired, egg-shaped kilns produce convincing reproductions of earlier wares. The same goes for the large, side-stoked dragon kilns in Zhejiang province, where good reproductions of Song Longquan celadon wares are still being made.

In the past, some fakes were made using special clay that was artificially aged by boiling in meat broth, refiring, and storage in sewers. This method allowed the fakes to be passed off as being hundreds of years old.

Here are some notable examples of fakes and reproductions: