Pottery
has been an ancient art in China. After the man learnt the procedure of
making pottery during 5000BC, the Chinese gained expertise in it. They
mastered the art of mking painted pottery, carved pottery and black pottery.
Han dynasty is remembered for new ceramic age. Glazed pottery was the
fashion of those days.
The Chinese achieved near perfection in the art of pottery, thanks to hard
work and persistent efforts for excellence. National Palace Museum in Taipei
is famous for its assets. There are several specimen of this beautiful art.
For example almost transparent egg-shell China wear and other items adorned
with delicate birds, beasts, flowers and graces. It is astonishing to see
these marvels.
Evolvement of Chinese Pottery
Various factors played their part in the development of Chinese pottery.
Important among these factors are fuel, clays, river system and markets.
Heave clay and colossal quantities of fuel were required for making
exquisite pottery. Cost of transportation dictated that the art was
restricted to the areas where the required factors were available in
abundance.
Industrial Art Institutions
Number of art institutions have been established in China. These
institutions impart training to the students. Prominent among these
institutions are some departments of Chinese Cultural University, National
Taiwan Normal University and National Taiwan Academy of Arts.
Skilled
Craftsmen ship
Chinese craftsmen have always strived for excellence. It is this approach
that has made them masters of the art. They put in every effort to defeat
the deficiencies of the required factors. They also overcome the hindrances
which block their way.
There is a glittering example of this approach of the Chinese. In the 13th
century, the clay used as raw material in Chingte Chen (Kiangsi Province)
lacked in quality. It was stone mixed with kaolin, which is a material with
poor plasticity. For example, during 1279 and early 1368 dynasties, the clay
used to produce porcelain in world-famous Chingte Chen, Kiangsi Province,
was stone mixed with kaolin, a material with comparatively poor plasticity.
After hard work they got the solution to their problem. They grind the raw
material so that it becomes very fine. Then it is soaked in water for
several years. The process incresses its quality including plasticity. A
special knife was used to carve out the ware when it was half dry. This is
the way the well-known Chinese 'eggshell' was born.
Varieties of Pottery
Purple Clay Pottery
Purple clay pottery evolved during the times of Ming dynasty. This type of
pottery is still made in places like yixing, for many parts of China lack
the purple clay. It is liked by thousands of people all over the world.
Potters are always conscious of maintaining artistic beauty in their
produce.
Fahua Pottery
Fahua pottery was a famous product of the times of the Ming Dynasty. This
kind of pottery was made in the south of Shanxi zone at low temperature. In
this type of pottery, usually, peacock blue, purple, green and white were
painted on human figures, peonies, birds and pavilions.
