Porcelain is considered more refined and delicate than other ceramic forms. It was first made in China during the Yuan dynasty and its production increased during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Ceramics fired at lower temperatures were usually every day utilitarian pieces using inexpensive clays and colors for decoration made in quantities for the poor. Porcelain continually advanced as kaolin and other minerals were mixed in fine-grained clays, kilns were improved so they could reach higher temperatures and clearer glazes were created. Producing porcelain began by firing a biscuit (an unglazed ceramic body) at a low temperature, adding painted cobalt blue (made from cobalt and aluminum oxide) designs on its surface, covering it with a clear glaze and then firing the piece at very high temperatures. This process created a harder, non-porous, vitrified (glass-like) body that was white, translucent and able to produce sounds when lightly struck depending on how thin the body was. Because porcelain was superior to other types and kinds of ceramics, a huge response ensued for porcelain for domestic and export use.
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This Chinese-Republic porcelain is the Taoist Deity Lu Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals, holding his identifying symbol, a fly whisk. Fly whisks were used by Buddhists and Taoists to deflect insects without hurting them which was viewed as a way to allay ones problems and difficulties. Fly whisk (yun chou) means cloud sweeper, which…
In China and Japan cats are often portrayed in the form of small-teapots that provide individualized servings and better retain heat for the tea. Porcelain with a glaze surface was the preferred form for these pouring-vessels as it was viewed as more elegant. Since Mao (猫), the word for cat in Chinese, is a homophone…
In China and Japan cats are often portrayed as small-teapots that provide individualized tea servings and better retain heat. White porcelain with a clear glaze was often the preferred pottery form for preparing tea as it was viewed as more elegant. Since Mao (猫), the word for cat, is a homophone for octogenarian, it is…
In China and Japan cats are often portrayed as small-teapots that provide individualized tea servings and better retain heat. White porcelain with a clear glaze was often the preferred pottery form for preparing tea as it was viewed as more elegant. Since Mao (猫), the word for cat, is a homophone for octogenarian, it is…
In China and Japan cats are often portrayed as small teapots that provide individualized tea servings and better retain heat. White porcelain with a clear glaze was often the preferred pottery form for preparing tea as it was viewed as more elegant. Since Mao (猫), the word for cat, is a homophone for octogenarian, it…
In China and Japan cats are often portrayed in the form of small-teapots that provide individualized servings and better retain heat for the tea. Porcelain with a glaze surface was the preferred form for these teaware pouring vessels as it was viewed as more elegant. Since Mao (猫), the word for cat in Chinese, is…
In China and Japan cats are often portrayed in the form of small teapots that provide individualized servings and better retain heat for the tea. White porcelain with a clear glaze was often the preferred form for ta teaware pouring vessel, as it was viewed as more elegant. Since mao (猫), the word for cat…
In China and Japan, cats are often portrayed as small-teapots that provide individualized tea servings and better retain heat. White porcelain was the preferred pottery form for preparing tea as it was viewed as more elegant. Since Mao (猫), the word for cat, is a homophone for octogenarian, it is a well-known Chinese longevity symbol…
After the Qing dynasty fell in 1912 and was replaced with the Chinese Republic, porcelain production declined in imperial kilns but was revived in Southern China’s Jiangxi Province which made high-quality finely designed porcelains in private kilns. With few restraints, they produced more colorful pieces with unique Western shapes and styles. This small Republic porcelain…
Ink is produced in hard sticks in China and is ground up on an inkstone with the addition of water. Along with paper, ink stones, and brushes, ink is regarded as one of the Four Treasures of Literary Study which were part of scholar’s accouterments (Welch, p. 264). Red ink is used for Chinese chops…
After the Qing dynasty fell in 1912 and was replaced with the Chinese Republic, porcelain production declined in imperial kilns but was revived in Southern China’s Jiangxi Province which made high-quality finely designed Chinese-Republic porcelains in private kilns. With few restraints, they produced more colorful pieces with unique Western shapes and styles. These late Qing,…
As is common in Chinese Republic porcelain figurines, this aristocratic female holds a rose called the “flower of eternal spring or youth,” an auspicious symbol of longevity and long life. As they bloom almost monthly, they are also called “monthly rose” (yueji), a pun or homophone for “four seasons” (siji) or “year-round” because of the character…
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