Chinese Imperial Taste (continued)

Brush washer
North China; Northern Song period (960–1127),late 11th–early 12th century
Stoneware with glaze with iron "oil spots.”

The spectacular "oil spot" effect on this brush washer was the result of an excess of iron in the glaze that rose to the surface during firing. Although this vessel was made in North China, the technique was also used at the Jian kilns in Fujian Province in southeastern China. Such northern black wares were likely produced in response to the popularity of ceramics from Fujian, which were used throughout China at all levels of society.

Bottle
China, Jiangxi Province; Qing period (1644–1911), Yongzheng era, 1723–1735
Porcelain painted with overglaze enamels (Jingdezhen ware).

In this piece colors such as the white-pink and pale green of the peaches and the bright yellow of the loquats were only possible because of the expanded palette made available by the development of opaque enamels during the early eighteenth century at the imperial kilns and factories at Jingdezhen. The range of colors used to paint this bottle, which dates to the reign of the Yongzheng emperor, are known in Chinese as “powdery colors” (fencai).

Bowl
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368–1644), Xuande era, 1426–1435
Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware)

The subtle sense of movement and naturalness seen in the depiction of flowers and fruit on this elegant bowl characterizes the decoration of porcelains during the Xuande era.

Bowl
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368–1644), early 15th century (probably Yongle era, 1403–1424)
Porcelain with incised design under glaze (Jingdezhen ware).

Both the interior and exterior of this early 15th-century white porcelain bowl are decorated with a incised motifs: plantain leaves and chrysanthemum flowers are incised on the interior, and a chrysanthemum spray and a geometric keyfret design decorate the exterior.

Bowl
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368–1644), Xuande era, 1426–1435
Porcelain with incised design under glaze (Jingdezhen ware).

A six-character reign mark, written in underglaze blue, is inscribed in a double circle on the inside of this bowl's footring. Marks of this type, which appear frequently on Chinese ceramics manufactured at the Jingdezhen kilns, attest to the extent of imperial patronage and control of the ceramic industry from the early fifteenth through the nineteenth century. Reign marks first began to appear on porcelains during the reign of the Yongle emperor. However, under the Xuande emperor the use of these marks was well established, as was the elevated status of porcelains as symbols of imperial taste.

Jar
China, Jiangxi Province; Southern Song period (1127–1279) , 13 th century
Porcelain with carved and combed design under glaze (Qingbai ware).

This elegant jar displays the delicate blue, translucent glaze that characterizes Qingbai ware. During the Southern Song period, when this piece was produced, an important ingredient of porcelain, kaolin clay, began to be used in Qinbai ware, leading the way for the evolution in porcelain production that was to soon follow at the kilns in the Jingdezhen area. Qingbai ware appears in a wide variety of qualities. An off-shoot of Qingbai, known as Shufu ware, was initially commissioned for the imperial court of the Yuan dynasty.

Bowl
China, Shaanxi Province; Jin period (1115–1234) , 12 th century
Stoneware with incised design under glaze (Yaozhou ware).

The bottom of this large bowl has a date corresponding with the year 1162 inscribed in black ink. As with the bowl beside it, the elegant decoration suggests that this piece was made to order.

Cusped bowl
China, Shaanxi Province; Northern Song period (960–1126) , ca. early 12 th century
Stoneware with combed and incised design under glaze (Yaozhou ware).

Yaozhou ware is among the most elegant of Chinese green wares. Most Yaozhou ware was produced for popular use. However, the delicate shape and decoration of this bowl suggest that it was likely made by special order for an important client. Some Yaozhou wares are mentioned in the Song History (Song shi) as having been sent as tribute to the Song court during the early 12th century.

Bowl
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368–1644), Chenghua era, 1465–1487
Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware).

Porcelains made during and for the reign of the Chenghua emperor are considered to be some of the finest Chinese porcelains ever made. This bowl and the one next to it display the refined, thin porcelain bodies and precisely rendered designs for which Chenghua-period porcelain is so admired. A six-character Chenghua reign mark appears on the base of each bowl.

Bowl
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368–1644), Chenghua era, 1465–1487
Porcelain painted with underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware).

Bowls such as this one painted with stylized lotuses and the one next to it decorated with precisely painted chrysanthemums belong to a category known as "palace bowls." Such bowls, which have subtly rounded sides and small, high foot rims, appear to have been produced exclusively during the reign of the Chenghua emperor. Paintings by artists working in the Imperial academy usually served as the basis for the paintings on these palace bowls.

Dish
China, Jiangxi Province; Ming period (1368–1644), early 15 th century
Porcelain painted with underglaze copper red (Jingdezhen ware)

Wares decorated with underglaze red became popular during the reign of the first Ming emperor, the Hongwu emperor (reigned 1368–1398). Archeological and material evidence suggests that such wares were used at court at the end of the fourteenth century. The underglaze copper pigment was quite difficult to control and often resulted in a grayish outcome, as can be seen on this dish decorated with crysanthemums. Nevertheless, Ming potters continued to produce porcelain with copper red decoration for the court and others.

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