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While we’ve discussed it before, it is worth revisiting Jingdezhen’s ongoing significance during the Ming Dynasty. The city of Jingdezhen remained the undisputed center of porcelain production during the Ming period, playing a vital role in the development of new techniques and styles and the mass production of porcelain for domestic and international markets. The consistent output of high quality pottery from Jingdezhen made it the central element of ceramic production in China for centuries. The imperial kilns at Jingdezhen, which were directly controlled by the Ming court, continued to be the focus of technical innovation and the creation of high-quality wares. These workshops were the source of some of the most important and influential pieces of pottery of the time. The economic importance of Jingdezhen also continued to grow during the Ming period, as its ceramics were widely traded throughout China and across the globe. The technical and artistic innovations that took place in Jingdezhen during the Ming Dynasty had a profound and lasting impact on the world of ceramics. The legacy of Jingdezhen as the center of Chinese porcelain production continues to this day, and this makes an understanding of its role during the Ming period essential to understanding the overall history of ceramic production in China. |
Tag : Ming Jingdezhen, Chinese porcelain, pottery center, ancient kilns, ceramic production
While we have touched on geometric patterns, let's focus on the significance of geometric designs in Ming ceramics beyond the creation of simple repeating patterns. Yuan potters often incorporated geometric designs to create structure, balance, and a sense of order within their decorative schemes and the use of these types of patterns often served to complement and also to highlight the overall design choices of any given piece.
While underglaze blue was a core component of many Ming styles, some potters experimented with combining underglaze blue with sgraffito, a technique where designs are created by scratching through a layer of slip to reveal a contrasting colour beneath, and this combination of techniques adds both depth and visual complexity to the overall design scheme.
Color itself held symbolic meaning in Ming Dynasty ceramics, and specific colors were often chosen to convey messages of good fortune, power, prosperity, or spiritual significance. This demonstrates the ongoing importance of colour theory and symbolic understanding in Chinese art during this period.
While we've touched on the literati, it's worth focusing on the specific influence of figures like Dong Qichang (1555-1636) and other prominent Ming literati on the art of ceramics. These scholars and artists, with their emphasis on refined taste, classical learning, and a connection to the natural world, helped shape the aesthetic sensibilities of late Ming pottery. The influence of these figures helped to shape a new appreciation for subtle beauty and refinement that would become increasingly influential over the course of the Ming period.
While the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen were dominant, regional kilns throughout China continued to produce ceramics during the Ming Dynasty, often incorporating local styles and traditions into their designs. These pieces highlight the influence of regional preferences on the development of pottery during this period.