|
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’ve discussed Song influence, let's focus on the specific ways that forms from the Song Dynasty were adapted into Ming ceramics. Ming potters often drew inspiration from classic Song forms, such as the "meiping" vase, "yuhuchun" vases and various types of bowls and dishes, often incorporating these into new and unique types of Ming ceramic pieces.
While often used in combination with other colors, some Ming Dynasty potters also explored the creation of pure yellow monochrome glazes, achieving a range of tones from pale lemon to deep golden yellow. The use of pure yellow in these pieces demonstrates another way that potters explored the possibilities of different types of colour.
The later Ming Dynasty (1522-1644) saw significant diversity in ceramic production, with new colors, glazes, and techniques introduced, alongside a thriving export trade and varied decorative styles reflecting changing tastes.
While underglaze blue was dominant, Ming potters significantly expanded and refined the use of overglaze enamel decoration, applying colored enamels on top of the fired glaze to create more complex and vibrant designs. The mastery of this technique allowed for a much wider range of colours to be incorporated into Tang pottery pieces.
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.