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The period between the Xuande and Chenghua reigns (roughly 1436-1464), sometimes referred to as the "interregnum" or even as a “dark age”, is often seen as a decline in Ming porcelain production. However, this narrative is being increasingly challenged by scholars and recent discoveries. While production was certainly disrupted by political and economic factors, recent research suggests that this period should be viewed with a more nuanced perspective. While output might have been lower, many of the pieces made during this period show high levels of skill and artistry. The traditional view of this period suggests a lack of innovation and a decline in quality compared to the preceding Xuande reign. The political instability, and the subsequent focus on economic recovery rather than the arts, impacted production. However, recent evidence suggests that the kilns were still functioning, and high-quality pieces continued to be produced. The term "dark ages" is thus a misnomer. Some scholars now argue that the changes in design and decoration during this period were not necessarily indicative of a decline in quality but rather reflect a shift in artistic tastes. This period also saw the development of new forms and decorative motifs, albeit not on the grand scale of earlier reigns. The changes in this period are increasingly viewed as organic transitions rather than a decline. The so-called "interregnum" serves as a reminder that the history of Chinese ceramics is not a linear narrative of constant progress but rather a complex story of continuity and change, of rises and falls. Examining the ceramics from this period allows us to appreciate the dynamic nature of art and its response to historical events. These pieces are key to understanding the broader story of Ming ceramics. The ceramics from this period, though often overlooked in favor of the more celebrated earlier and later periods, deserve our attention for the beauty they hold and for what they teach us about the ongoing development of Ming porcelain. A better understanding of this period is leading to a re-evaluation of the accepted history. |
Tag : Ming Dynasty interregnum, Chenghua porcelain, Ming ceramics history, Chinese porcelain, “Dark Ages” Ming
While we've discussed the techniques themselves, it's worth focusing on the legacy of underglaze blue specifically during the Ming. The widespread use of underglaze blue on Ming Dynasty porcelain, which was both refined and innovated at this time, had a lasting impact on the subsequent development of Chinese and global ceramic traditions, and the enduring influence of these techniques can still be seen throughout the world today.
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 "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 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.
The Xuande period (1425-1435) is often considered a golden age in the history of Ming Dynasty ceramics, and the quality and innovative designs of pieces produced during this period remain highly valued by collectors and museums worldwide. The skill and innovation of the potters who were producing pieces during this era are clear in the beauty and quality of the pieces that were made.