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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. The use of yellow, often associated with the imperial court, conveyed a sense of power, authority, and prestige. Red, a color of good fortune and celebration, was often used on pieces meant for festive occasions or to represent a desire for happiness and prosperity. Blue, often used in conjunction with white in blue and white pottery, was associated with peace, tranquility and a sense of the divine. The intentional use of symbolic colors in Ming ceramics highlights the important role that color played in both the artistic and cultural landscape of the period, and their thoughtful use in pottery design demonstrates the ways that potters made their work both aesthetically pleasing and also culturally significant. |
Tag : Ming symbolic colors, Chinese pottery, color symbolism, ancient art, cultural meaning
While blue and white dominated, the Ming Dynasty also saw the development and refinement of "five-color" wares (wucai), which employed a range of vibrant overglaze enamels, including red, green, yellow, and aubergine, often used in combination with underglaze blue. These pieces demonstrate a more colourful and decorative style of pottery production that became increasingly popular during this period.
While we’ve touched on Islamic influence, it is worth focusing on the specific influence of Islamic calligraphy on Ming ceramics. The flowing lines, geometric patterns, and stylized forms of Islamic calligraphy sometimes appeared on Ming Dynasty pieces, and demonstrate the cross-cultural exchange of artistic techniques and design elements that was occurring during this period.
While iron oxide was key to other colours, the use of "iron rust" glaze, which is characterized by its dark brown or reddish-brown tone with subtle flecks and variations in texture, added a different type of visual texture to Ming Dynasty ceramics. Pieces with this type of glaze demonstrate the skill of Tang potters and their exploration of different colours and effects.
While we've mentioned precious materials, it is worth delving deeper into the use of gilding on Ming ceramics. The application of gold leaf or gold paint was used on some Ming Dynasty ceramics to add a touch of luxury and visual opulence. Gilding was often used to highlight decorative elements and to add to the sense of refinement that is a key element of Ming dynasty porcelain production.
The period between the Xuande and Chenghua reigns (1436-1464), often called the "interregnum," is increasingly viewed with nuance, as recent research reveals continued high-quality production despite political and economic disruptions.