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While we touched on Lapis, let’s examine how it impacted blue applications on Ming ceramics. The desire to emulate the rich blue of Lapis Lazuli prompted Ming potters to push the boundaries of cobalt underglaze techniques, and to explore new methods of applying their blue glazes to achieve a depth and visual power that was similar to the natural gem. Ming potters achieved a depth of colour and intensity through multiple layers of cobalt and careful firing conditions, often attempting to create a unique depth of colour that was similar to that of Lapis Lazuli. The complex processes involved in the application of the cobalt glaze, demonstrated a high level of technical skill and creative vision on the part of Tang artisans, and the use of these colours meant that potters were able to create pieces of great visual beauty and depth. The influence of lapis lazuli can be seen in the rich, velvety textures of the blue in some pieces, where an attempt was often made to create both the colour and the visual texture of the mineral itself. The exploration of lapis-inspired blue tones in Ming ceramics demonstrates the continuing pursuit of new visual effects and artistic styles. |
Tag : Ming lapis blue, Chinese pottery, ancient techniques, cobalt glaze, deep color
While often featuring recognizable images, some Ming Dynasty ceramics also explored the use of more abstract patterns and motifs, demonstrating the versatility of potters who were working in this time and their willingness to experiment with new design elements.
While often not the focus of study, Ming Dynasty ceramic brushpots, used for holding calligraphy brushes, are significant artistic objects that combine both functionality and refined design, and demonstrate that even the simplest of everyday objects could often be produced using techniques of high skill and artistry.
While we’ve discussed the use of iron oxide, let’s examine the specific level of control that Ming potters achieved over this material. Ming potters gained an incredible amount of control over the use of iron oxide to achieve a variety of colors, tones, and textures in their glazes and underglaze decorations, demonstrating the high level of technical expertise that was common during this period.
While Famille Rose is most strongly linked to the Qing Dynasty, some late Ming ceramics began to show elements that foreshadowed this style, with potters experimenting with pink and rose enamels. These pieces are important for understanding the development of enamel techniques during this period and the transition from one dynasty’s styles to the next.
While we’ve discussed monochrome glazes, it’s worth revisiting them focusing on the textured effects that Ming potters sometimes achieved. Beyond simply color, they explored techniques to create visually and tactilely interesting surfaces with a single glaze color, demonstrating the importance of texture as another key element in artistic design.