Famous earthenware of China

Updated: 2011-02-14 14:01

By Zhang Min (Chinaculture.org)

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Earthenware is one of the oldest human technologies and art-forms, and remains a major industry today. It is made by forming a clay body into objects of a required shape and heating them to high temperatures in a kiln to induce reactions that lead to permanent changes in various features of the sculptures, including their strength, hardness, and shape.

Earthenware in China first appears in the early Neolithic Age. About 15,000 years ago, people in the southern area of China started the experiment of making earthenware, and finished the inventory about 9,000 years ago. The painted earthenware in China appeared around 4000 B.C. At first, the earthenware was only covered with red color, but frequently it had a unique symbol, which was called Banpo symbols, decorated with animal patterns, geometric patterns, knitting patterns and so on. Black earthenware first appeared during the Longshan period (from 2500 B.C. to 2000 B.C.), the peak of Chinese ceramic technology. According to some theories, in the Shang dynasty, the earthenware wheel technology was brought in by the Indo-European nomads, which led to the mass production of earthenware. In the Zhou dynasty, the high-temperature firing increased the hardness of the earthenware made by the wheel. At the same time, the green glaze was used. Qin Terracotta Warriors were the representative earthenware of that time, and the focus of earthenware was changed from animals to human beings. In the Han dynasty, the focus turned to the image of the Buddha as the spread of Buddhism. In the Tang dynasty, white earthenware appeared. Tri-colored glazed earthenware was the representative. Until the Song dynasty, the development of the technology of porcelain overshadowed the glory of earthenware. From then on, porcelain was stressed. The technology of earthenware, however, is still at a high level nowadays. There are four famous earthenwares in China: the Nixing Earthenware of Guangxi province, the Violet Sand Earthenware (Zisha earthenware) in Yixing, Rongchang Earthenware of Chongqing, and the Jianshui Earthenware of Yunnan. Over the long development of society and the progress of civilization, they have formed their own characteristics.

The Nixing Earthenware of Guangxi Province

As a traditional art and craft, Nixing earthenware has a history of more than one thousand three hundred years. According to the historical books, the Nixing earthenware was invented before the Tang dynasty, and thrived in the Qing dynasty. Products of Nixing earthenware mainly include tea sets, stationery, utensils, coffee sets, vases, flower pots, tripod and antique products, as well as electric cookers and other products, with the species of more than six hundred.

The material of the Nixing earthenware (also called purple clay earthenware) is the purple clay of both sides of the Qinjiang River. It is clean, fine, and environment-friendly. It also contains more than ten mineral substances, such as iron, zinc, calcium, and strontium. The clay of the east side is soft and that of the west side is hard. The earthenware is 60% soft clay and 40% hard clay. The product is antique, acid-proof, alkali-proof, and without toxicity. The color is smooth and the sound is clear. It is useful for storing food because of its breathable and waterproof quality. If used as a vase, the flowers could stay fresh, and last for a long time. The flowers of peach and plum even can bear fruit.

The Yaobian of Nixing earthenware is unique in the domestic ceramic industry. The Yaobian happens to the natural clay accidentally. In the firing process, when the temperature can be up to 1200 degrees, some bases would change, and form bright color and patterns, such as the sky blue, bronze, tiger lines and dark green. It is very rare. To achieve the highest level of artistic effect, the product also needs some design. The artificial decoration with the natural color forms the most amazing effect. The Nixing earthenware has high practical value, ornamental value and collection value for its special material and technology.

The Violet Sand Earthenware (Zisha Earthenware) of Yixing

The Violet Sand Earthenware (Zisha earthenware) of Yixing is a comprehensive art with ceramic crafts and vessel design, sculpture, painting, calligraphy, literature, and stone art in one. It begins in the North Song dynasty and thrives in the Ming and Qing dynasty. In Modern and contemporary age, there are new development in the texture of the materials, the process, the research and schools. The artisans of the Violet Sand Earthenware in all ages take advantage of the unique purple clay and create the earthenware treasure with their hands and ingenuity. They endow the clay with art and inspiration, and make it rich in ethnic and cultural characteristics.

The technique is unique in the world. The material of it is the purple clay with special granular structure and double pore structure. With more than a hundred homemade tools, the product is made through the steps of beating the clay base (da ni pian), beating the body tube (yuan qi), inlay and sculpture, polishing, carving and decoration. There are many categories, including pots, cups, plates, bottles, pots, stationery, and figure sculpture and others. Among them, the tea set is the most common. The Yixing Violet Sand teapot is with high art value and unparalleled unique advantages. As there are no glaze insides and outside, it has good air permeability. The tea made in the Violet Sand teapot is very fragrant. The tea won’t turn to stale or rancid, and the color won’t change in the teapot. The hot water in the teapot will not turn cold quickly in winter, nor will it scald hands in summer. For its artistic and practical values, it can be collected as an artwork or used in daily life. With the improvement of its cultural content and artistic forms, Violet Sand Earthenware is renowned throughout the world.

The Rongchang Earthenware of Chongqing

According to the historical records, Rongchang earthenware is mainly in the Anfu Town nowadays, which is called Citaoli before Qing dynasty. The earthenware first appeared in the Han dynasty, and developed greatly in the Ming and Qing dynasty. The 1970s is its prime time. The earthenware had been sold to the Southeast Asia one hundred years ago. Since the 1960s, it has been sold to the United States, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Japan and other countries. Now, it is the largest ceramics production base in the southwest region of China.

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Famous earthenware of China

Updated: 2011-02-14 14:01

By Zhang Min (Chinaculture.org)

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