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While "Famille Noire" is most closely associated with the Qing Dynasty, some early influences of this style, which features a black enamel background that sets off other overglaze colors, can be seen in some late Ming Dynasty ceramics. These pieces are a testament to the experimental nature of pottery production during this time period and its influence on the styles and techniques that would emerge in later eras. Late Ming potters began to experiment with using a black enamel as a background for other decorative elements, creating a more dramatic and visually striking appearance than was common in earlier styles. These pieces often featured a limited palette of colors, including green, yellow, and white, to stand out against the dark black background, creating a powerful visual contrast. The experimentation with black enamel backdrops in the late Ming laid the groundwork for the fully developed Famille Noire style that became so popular in the Qing Dynasty, and the pieces that were produced at this time are an important element in understanding the overall development of Chinese pottery techniques. The use of these black enamel backgrounds demonstrates the continued exploration of new possibilities and new expressive forms in Ming Dynasty ceramics. |
Tag : Ming Famille Noire, Chinese pottery, black enamel, ancient techniques, overglaze patterns
While we have previously covered Longquan kilns, let's focus on the techniques and how they were adapted in Ming Dynasty. Even though the Longquan kilns saw a decline in prominence, the techniques for producing celadon wares were continued and reinterpreted in many Ming Dynasty ceramics. The versatility and elegance of celadon styles meant that they continued to be influential even during this period of stylistic change and innovation.
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.
Beyond plays, it's worth exploring the influence of Ming Dynasty novels on the ceramics. The rise of popular novels during the Ming Dynasty had a subtle but noticeable influence on the types of scenes, characters, and stories that were sometimes depicted on ceramic pieces. The novels of the era were a major element of Chinese culture and their influence is apparent in many of the artistic forms that were popular at this time.
Ming Dynasty monochrome glazes, including sacrificial red, celadon, yellow, and white, showcase the technical skill and aesthetic sensibility of potters through single-color applications, often used for ritual and imperial wares.
While blue was dominant, let's delve into the specific technical challenges and achievements in using other colors in underglaze decoration during the Ming Dynasty. Although less common, the use of underglaze colors other than blue demonstrates the experimentation and technical skill of Ming potters in their use of a wide range of materials and colours.