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The Chenghua reign (1465-1487) is renowned for its delicate and refined porcelain. This era is often described as the pinnacle of artistic achievement within the Ming Dynasty. Chenghua porcelain is characterized by its small, elegantly shaped pieces, its pale, luminous blue, and its subtle, often playful designs. The ceramics from this era are highly prized for their beauty and exquisite craftsmanship. The most famous Chenghua porcelain includes the "chicken cups," small, delicate cups decorated with scenes of chickens, which are the most celebrated of this era. These cups epitomize the aesthetic of the Chenghua period, with their understated designs, pale colors, and fine porcelain body. The chicken cups are emblematic of the era’s style and are amongst the most coveted Chinese porcelain in the world. The use of doucai, a technique that combined underglaze blue with overglaze enamels, also reached its apex during the Chenghua era. This method allowed for a more diverse and vibrant palette. This decorative technique was incredibly complex and is the hallmark of Chenghua craftsmanship. Chenghua porcelain reflects a shift in artistic taste toward a more refined, understated aesthetic. Unlike the bolder, more robust styles of the early Ming, Chenghua pieces are characterized by their elegance, subtlety, and delicate beauty. This emphasis on elegance is a defining element of the period's art. The enduring appeal of Chenghua porcelain lies in its exquisite craftsmanship and its unique artistic vision. These pieces are not only admired for their beauty but also cherished as testaments to the rich history and cultural heritage of China. Chenghua porcelain continues to set the standard for quality and artistic achievement. |
Tag : Chenghua porcelain, Doucai porcelain, Ming Dynasty art, Chicken cups, Chinese ceramics
We've touched on coral red, but it's worthwhile to delve into the specific technical details of how Ming potters achieved this particular hue. The creation of a rich, vibrant coral red glaze required very precise and complex control of firing conditions, pigment composition and the application of glazes.
While cobalt blue was dominant, Ming Dynasty potters also explored and refined the use of iron-red glazes. These glazes, characterized by their warm reddish-brown tones and smooth, often glossy surfaces, became an important element in both the decorative and symbolic vocabulary of Ming pottery production. The use of these types of colours is a testament to the technical skill and artistic sensibility of potters during this era.
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.
"Kraak" porcelain, a term derived from the Dutch word for a type of ship, refers to a specific style of late Ming blue and white porcelain that was produced specifically for export, and these pieces are an important example of the cross cultural exchange that occurred through trade and commerce.
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.