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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 the production of Jian ware declined in earlier periods, its aesthetic influence and functional qualities continued to be appreciated and, sometimes, adapted in Ming Dynasty ceramics, particularly in tea bowls. These types of pieces continued to be prized by tea enthusiasts, which demonstrates the enduring importance and impact of these forms, even centuries after their first production.
While we've discussed black glazes, let's examine the specific use of black as a background in Ming ceramics. This technique, where black was used as a backdrop to highlight other colors or decorative elements, was a popular approach to design during this period, and it shows the ways that colour could be used to highlight certain parts of a piece of pottery while also creating a dramatic and striking visual impact.
While "Famille Jaune" enamels are most closely associated with later Qing Dynasty production, some early forms of this style began to appear in the late Ming Dynasty. Potters started to explore the use of yellow as a base color and also to experiment with new colour combinations. The techniques that were developed at this time helped to lay the groundwork for the more fully developed styles of later periods.
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.
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.