what were chinese ceramics used for

The 7 Top Uses of Chinese Porcelain - Historic and Modern

Full Answer

What were ceramics first used for?

Starting approximately in 9,000 BCE, clay-based ceramics became popular as containers for water and food, art objects, tiles and bricks, and their use spread from Asia to the Middle East and Europe.

What was Chinese porcelain used for?

For everyday use, it was used to create cups, plates, and other useful items. Exquisite, high-quality porcelains were usually housed as decoration or served as gifts. It was also used to create decorative statues and ornate trinkets for the higher classes.

Why is Chinese pottery so important?

China is famous for its beautiful, high-quality pottery, called porcelain or china. This is partly because of the huge amount of clay and stone found in China. Over the years, the Chinese developed a variety of ways of making and decorating pottery and became specialists in their craft.

What were Chinese ceramics called?

A number of white ceramics were made in China, several of which might be termed porcelain. The northern porcelains, such as Ding ware, were made predominantly of clay rich in kaolin. In southern China, porcelain stone was the main material.

Why are ceramics called China?

That's why it gradually replaced pottery in the ceramic history. It is called china in English because it was first made in China, which fully explains that the delicate porcelain can be the representative of China.

Why are Chinese ceramics blue and white?

The distinctive colour in blue-glazed pottery and porcelain comes from cobalt ores imported from Persia, which were a scarce ingredient at the time and used in only limited quantities.

What is China's greatest contribution to ceramics?

Ceramic pottery is, of course, as old as human civilization and found around the globe; but the unique quality and properties of porcelain—its considerable strength, translucency, and high resistance to thermal shock—make it one of the great contributions Chinese civilization has made to world cultures.

When Did Chinese ceramics originate?

ten thousand years agoThe history of Chinese ceramics can be traced back to over ten thousand years ago. During the Yangshao culture of the Neolithic age, earthenware with color decoration as well as red or white-bodied ware were made, and later in the Longshan culture, production of black ware flourished.

Where did Chinese ceramics originate?

southern ChinaEarly wares Pottery dating from 20,000 years ago was found at the Xianrendong Cave site in Jiangxi province, making it among the earliest pottery yet found. Another reported find is from 17,000–18,000 years ago in the Yuchanyan Cave in southern China.

How do you identify Chinese pottery?

Determining Authenticity in Qing Dynasty CeramicsReign Marks. In the early Ming dynasty, which began in 1368, porcelain makers in China started using reign marks regularly. ... Proportion and Shape. ... Condition. ... Kilns and Production Locations. ... Base Design. ... Weight and Feel. ... Palettes and Glazes.

What is the oldest Chinese pottery?

A team of Israeli, Chinese, and American scholars says it has found ceramic remains in a cave in China's Hunan province that are from 15,400 to 18,300 years old. That's at least 1000 years earlier than other pottery fragments from the same region, which were previously thought to be the oldest in the world.

Is China made from clay?

kaolin, also called china clay, soft white clay that is an essential ingredient in the manufacture of china and porcelain and is widely used in the making of paper, rubber, paint, and many other products. Kaolin is named after the hill in China (Kao-ling) from which it was mined for centuries.

How did porcelain impact China?

Porcelain Snowballed China's Industrial Development Porcelain's invention not only created new jobs in the kilns, but also spurred on everything around them: from quarrying, forestry, shipbuilding, and transportation, to kiln and workshop construction and tool-making, to printing, design, and painting.

What things are made out of porcelain?

Sinks – Both kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks are often made of porcelain. Dolls – Some dolls are made of porcelain. Dishes – Plates, bowls, and other fine dinnerware can be made of porcelain, as well. Knick Knacks – Statues, statuettes, figurines, and other knick knacks are quite commonly made from porcelain.

What is porcelain in ancient China?

In China, porcelain is defined as pottery that is resonant when struck. In the West, it is a material that is translucent when held to the light.

What are the benefits of porcelain?

The Benefits Of Porcelain TileWear-resistant. Tiles made of Ceramic wear out more quickly than those of Porcelain, which means that Porcelain lasts longer. ... Low Maintenance. ... Suitable for high traffic areas. ... Highly Durable. ... Enhanced moisture resistance. ... Simple To Clean. ... Slate Effect Tiles.

What dynasty was the Song Ceramics?

Song Ceramics: Understated Beauty. Ceramics of the Song dynasty (960-1279) are surprisingly contemporary in their understated aesthetic sense, 'Ru', 'Guan', 'Ge', ‘Jun’ and 'Ding' wares are named the ‘Five Famous Wares’ of the Song dynasty as defined by collectors of later periods.

What dynasty produced porcelain?

No other period in China’s history is so closely associated with ceramic production than the Ming dynasty. Its porcelains have attained such recognition that the word “Ming” has almost become a generic term for any piece of Chinese ceramic created before the 20th century. By the Ming dynasty, with the establishment of the Imperial Kilns at Jingdezhen, potters had developed a distinct and confident repertoire of designs in blue-and-white wares. In addition to this iconic type, monochrome and various polychrome styles were also produced during this period, such as the fabled ‘ chicken cup ’, one of such sold at Sotheby’s in 2014.

What dynasty made the Yue kiln?

During the Jin dynasty (265-420), Yue kilns in Zhejiang province flourished to unprecedented levels to produce a variety of wares. The characteristic of these wares are their tactile greenish glazes, non-prescribed forms and unusual decoration. A 'YUE' CELADON CHICKEN-HEAD EWER.

Where did the blue and white porcelain come from?

The cobalt ore used in the blue pigment for Yuan dynasty blue-and-white wares were originally imported from Persia.

Who revived the Imperial porcelain factory?

The Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty (1644-1912) successfully revived the Imperial porcelain factories at Jingdezhen after a long dormant period that lasted nearly sixty years.

What was the Tang Dynasty known for?

The Tang dynasty was characterised by strong rule, economic expansion, successful foreign diplomacy as well as artistic and cultural advancements. The first half of the dynasty saw an unprecedented rise in the ingenuity and skills of the country’s artisans who strove to meet the rising demands of an affluent and discerning aristocracy. Chang’an was a true cosmopolitan at the time, and with the increased exchange with Western Asia through the Silk Road, the capital city allowed craftsmen to come into contact with an abundance of styles and techniques, which they quickly synthesized in creating the aesthetic trends of the period. Sancai wares are best known for their ostentatious decorations and opulence in variety, reflecting the inventiveness of inventiveness of the potters aimed at pushing a medium to its limits. Their vast repertoire of shapes and designs were likely inspired by metalwork, glass, textiles and any other fine materials encountered by Tang craftsmen, and absorbed motifs and design concepts that had arrived in China.

What is Chinese pottery?

Full Article. Chinese pottery, also called Chinese ceramics, objects made of clay and hardened by heat: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain, particularly those made in China. Nowhere in the world has pottery assumed such importance as in China, and the influence of Chinese porcelain on later European pottery has been profound.

What was the Shang Dynasty's pottery?

The Shang dynasty saw several important advances in pottery technology, including the development of a hard-bodied, high-fire stoneware and pottery glazes. A small quantity of stoneware is covered with a thin, hard, yellowish green glaze applied in liquid form to the vessel. Shang potters also developed a fine soft-bodied white ware, employing kaolin (later used in porcelain); this ware was probably for ceremonial use and was decorated with motifs similar to those on the ritual bronzes. The only known complete specimen of a fine white stoneware dating from about 1400 bce is decorated with chevrons (linked V-shapes) and a key-fret pattern, the shoulder motifs being reminiscent of those seen on contemporary bronze vessels. Much cruder imitations of bronze vessels also occur in the ubiquitous gray pottery of the Shang dynasty.

What was the pottery of the Yangshao?

In Yangshao pottery, emphasis was on funerary wares. The delicate potting of the Longshan ware and the prevalence of offering stands and goblets suggest that these vessels were made not for burial but for sacrificial rites connected with the worship of ancestral spirits. Ritual vessels, oracle bones (used by shamans in divination), ceremonial jade objects and ornaments, and architecture (pounded-earth foundations, protective city walls, rectilinear organization) reflect an advanced material culture on the threshold of the Bronze Age. This culture continued in outlying areas long after the coming of bronze technology to the central Henan–Shaanxi–southern Shanxi region.

Where was art found in ancient China?

The earliest evidence for art in any form in ancient China consists of crude cord-marked pottery and artifacts decorated with geometric designs found in Mesolithic sites in northern China and in the Guangdong-Guangxi regions. The dating for prehistoric culture in China is still very uncertain, but this material is probably at least 7,000 or 8,000 years old.

Where did the Yangshao culture develop?

Over this span of two millennia the Yangshao culture progressed generally westward along the Huang He and Wei River valleys from sites in central China, such as Banpo, to sites farther west, such as Miaodigou, Majiayao, Banshan, and Machang.

What were the ceramic deities used for?

Ceramic deities and animals were used during burial practices, worshipped as part of family altars and temples, or placed on scholars’ desks. These functional and decorative items gained popularity in both China and elsewhere. Of particularly high regard were the milky white Guanyin (Bodhisattva) porcelain figures made in Dehua, which were also known as Blanc de Chine (White from China).

What were tea pots used for?

Decorated by vibrant color glazes and varied in design, these plates, bowls, saucers, and teapots were used at homes and religious rituals in China. Fine tea and dining ware from China were also in high demand across Europe and were praised as objects of luxury.

What dynasties were the Weese Collection?

The William C. Weese Collection of Chinese Ceramics is rich in porcelain and stonewares from the Ming and Qing dynasties , especially those made during the reigns of Emperors Kangxi (1662–1722), Yongzheng (1723–1735) and Qianlong (1736–1795). For the superb artisanship and mesmerizing array of colors, shapes, and decorative techniques, the ceramics made in the period are admired as some of the highest achievements of world ceramic history.

When were Qilin first used?

The first qilin is said to have appeared in the garden of the legendary Huangdi (Yellow Emperor) in 2697 BCE. Some three centuries later a pair of qilin were reported in the capital of Emperor Yao. Both events bore testimony to the benevolent nature of the rulers.

What dynasty was Vases?

From the early Song dynasty (960 - 1276) and all the way to the Qing dynasty (1644 - 1912), varying shapes and decorations of vases in the Weese Collection are reference points to key time periods and production areas.

How many Chinese ceramics are there in UMMA?

Weese. Ranging from 3000 BCE to the mid 19th century, the Weese collection contains more than 1,000 Chinese ceramics and spans centuries, styles, trends, and technologies. Here you can learn more about the vast collection, and explore some of the works.

Why did the Emperor boil water?

A story goes that, one summer day, while visiting a distant part of his realm, he and the court stopped to rest. In accordance with his ruling, the servants began to boil water for the court to drink. Dried leaves from a nearby bush fell into the boiling water, and a brown substance was infused into the water. As a scientist, the Emperor was interested in the new liquid, drank some, and found it very refreshing. And so, according to legend, tea was created in 2737 BC.

What are the considerations for Chinese ceramics?

W hen appreciating Chinese ceramics, important considerations include glaze, body material, decoration, condition, and of course, the form. Chinese potters found inspiration from nature and foliate forms, as well as historical wares made centuries earlier in other materials and replicated them in a contemporary design.

What dynasty was the hexagonal vase from?

The hexagonal-sectioned vase also drew inspiration from archaic bronze hu and was modified in the Song dynasty to have six or eight sides and tubular lug handles. The same handles are found on Shang bronze hu, likely used with a rope handle running through the tubes and secured by knots. The teadust-glazed hexagonal vase from the Qianlong period (r. 1736-1795) is one such example. In order to get the precise corners and angles, this vessel was made by a mould and not on the wheel.

Where did the meiping vase come from?

The meiping originated in the Tang dynasty (618-907) as a wine storage vessel often found in tombs. Later the shape was used for decorative vases during the Song dynasty, a high period of innovation in Chinese ceramics with technical mastery and refinement. The name ‘plum vase’ comes from the use of placing plum blossoms in the vase. The body is tall and slender with a short narrow neck, broad rounded shoulders, tapering to a narrow base. They sometimes had lids, which were often lost, and variations include hexagonal meiping vases. The meiping vase can be found in in almost all styles of glaze including celadon, Cizhou, qingbai, blue and white, copper-red, wucai, doucai, and famille-rose.

What was porcelain used for?

Sancai ('three colors') was a type of porcelain in the Tang Dynasty (618–907), mainly used for burial objects and tomb figures.

What are the uses of porcelain?

The 7 Top Uses of Chinese Porcelain - Historic and Modern. The 7 main uses of china in China and overseas have been: 1) crockery and stationery, 2) decoration, 3) ornaments and collectables, 4) Chinese exports, 5) diplomatic gifts, 6) ceremonial ware, and 7) insulators, fixtures, and dentistry. Since the invention of porcelain in imperial China, ...

What was the best porcelain in the world?

In medieval China, Chinese porcelain technology was the best in the world and was sought after by people worldwide. Hence, many Chinese emperors would present exquisite porcelain pieces as gifts for ambassadors.

What was the sacrificial vessel used for in China?

Ritual Uses. In China, sacrificial vessels like incense burners, used on special occasions such as worship ceremonies, were mostly made of porcelain. Porcelain was also made into burial items. Sancai ('three colors') was a type of porcelain in the Tang Dynasty (618–907), mainly used for burial objects and tomb figures.

What are the advantages of porcelain?

With obvious advantages over pottery, such as toughness and durability, porcelain was accepted by people rapidly and soon became a necessity. The most common porcelain pieces are crockery: bowls, plates, tea sets, etc. These porcelain items improved people's lives vastly, especially eating and drinking. Another daily use of porcelain was stationery ...

Why is porcelain considered a decorative material?

Decoration. Porcelain was also an ideal decorative material, due to its durable, graceful texture and beautiful colors. In imperial times, people used porcelain tiles in their houses as decoration, and durable, easily-cleanable surfaces, especially where water was used.

When was porcelain made in China?

As early as the late Han era (25–220 AD), Chinese porcelain was sold to western Asia through the Silk Road, though its manufacture remained almost exclusively Chinese.

When were Chinese ceramics invented?

The first Chinese ceramics — handbuilt earthenware pots — date back tens of thousands of years to the Palaeolithic period, but it was not until the Sui and Tang dynasties (581–907 AD) that technology developed sufficiently for craftsmen to be able to produce uniform vessels on the wheel and colourful glazes in the kiln.

What is the most important ingredient in ceramic glaze?

The most important ingredient in the glaze is silica, and the variations in type depend on the addition of other materials.’. These additions include copper, aluminium and other ingredients that can affect the glaze’s viscosity, colour and texture. Glazes can be applied to the ceramic bodies either before or after firing — techniques known ...

Why is Celadon glaze so special?

This glaze is particularly special because it contains agate, which was extremely difficult to source at the time. Similar to Longquan Celadon ware, these pieces contain some iron oxide, which lends them jade-like tones. The wares were often further enhanced with the introduction of crackles — a result of the glaze cooling faster than the body and contracting on the surface.

What were Sancai wares used for?

During the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD), Sancai wares were widely used for burial goods such as vessels and figurines. ‘On these figures you will see a lot of places that have been deliberately left unglazed,’ explains Chang. ‘Because the glaze is really runny all these different colours will mix during firing — which is not ideal for facial features. So they left the features unglazed, and later painted them in with coloured pigments. With many of the pieces we see today, the pigment is lost because it's mostly composed of organic materials, but the glaze remains vibrant.'

Where did Celadon glaze originate?

Celadon glaze originated in China, where famous producers included the Yue and Longquan kilns in Zhejiang province. The technique later spread as far as Korea, Japan and Thailand. Despite their name, Celadon glazes can range in colour from white and grey to blue and yellow, according to how thickly the glaze was applied, the sort of clay used, the ingredients of the glaze, and how the wares were fired.

Why do people use glazes?

Glazes were originally used for practical reasons because many stoneware and earthenware pots were too porous to act as containers, but aesthetics also played a part . ‘The glaze is also very pleasing to the eye, so even though porcelain doesn’t have that issue of porosity, it is still applied for decorative effect,’ notes Chang.

Where is Celadon porcelain made?

‘In the West the term “celadon” is used to describe any Asian porcelain that has a pale jade colour,’ says Chang. Celadon glaze originated in China, where famous producers included the Yue and Longquan kilns in Zhejiang province.

Where in the world has pottery assumed such importance as in China?

Nowhere in the world has pottery assumed such importance as in China, and the influence of Chinese porcelain on later European pottery has...

Where was pottery made?

The pottery produced in northeastern China (Manchuria) under Liao occupation continued the tradition of Tang whiteware and three-coloured ware, with some influence from the Ding and Cizhou wares of Northern Song. Five kilns that produced pottery for the Liao and Jin courts have been located.

What is Yingqing ware?

Yingqing ware is very thinly potted, the decoration carved in the clay body or applied in raised slip or beading under the glaze. Song yingqing wares are the predecessors of a vast output of fine, white Jingdezhen porcelain that was to dominate the Chinese pottery industry during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

What is Biseyao pottery called?

The finest pieces, with decoration carved in the clay body under a very pale olive-green glaze, were called biseyao (“secret,” or “reserve, colour ware”) by 10th-century writers. It is not known whether this referred to a secret process or to the fact that the ware was reserved for the court. Read More on This Topic.

What were Liao potters' wares?

In addition to imitations of Tang and Song wares, Liao potters produced their own unique shapes, which included long-necked vases, cockscomb vessels, ewers with phoenix-headed mouths, and flattened flasks made in imitation of animal-hide bags for liquor or milk carried at the saddle.

Where was white porcelain made?

White porcelain made at Jiancicun in south-central Hebei was already being produced for the northern courts in the Five Dynasties (907–960) and continued as an imperial ware to the beginning of the 12th century. Very finely potted and sometimes decorated with freely incised plants, fish, and birds under the glaze or later with mold-made designs in ...

Who considered Chinese art beneath their notice?

Chinese connoisseurs and imperial collectors considered them beneath their notice, and it has taken the interest of Western collectors and the concern for the arts of the masses shown in China since 1949 to elevate them to the honoured place they deserve.