Tang Dynasty Pottery

The Tang Dynasty in China (618-907 CE) was a time of great economic and cultural exchange. During this time, Chinese pottery underwent a transformative development. Some styles of pottery flourished, while others declined. The Tang dynasty produced some of the most important and admirable ceramics in Chinese history.

The most prevalent varieties of Tang Dynasty pottery were the three-colored glazed wares and Changsha ceramics. The three-colored earthenware is well-known for its remarkable combinations of yellow, green, and white and was often utilized for figurines, vessels, and architectural ornaments. The Changsha ceramics, named for the town where they were created, were usually unglazed but were highly prized for their thin, delicate shapes.

One of the well-known types of Tang pottery is sancai, which actually means three-colors in Chinese. Also called “Tang tricolored pottery,” this style of pottery can be dated back to 618 and features three colors, usually in the form of brown, amber, and green. Sancai pottery became well-known under the Tang Dynasty because of its striking appearance, which was achieved by blending metal oxides into the glaze. The result was often brightly colored and highly decorative ceramic ware.

Some other types of Tang pottery include Ting ware, Jun ware, Jizhou ware, and Xing ware. Ting ware, a type of porcelain, was produced in Chuzhou and is distinguished by its white, fine quality of the paste and its crackled glaze. Jun ware, on the other hand, is produced in Yuzhou and is famously known for the distinctive purple-blue crackle covering its white or purplish-blue body. Jizhou, a pottery type originating from Jizhou in Jiangxi province, is famous for its white glaze overlaid on a chocolate-colored body. Lastly, Xing ware is another type of porcelain that mainly features white with blue and copper green designs.

The beauty of Tang Dynasty pottery is in its variety of forms, shapes, and designs. In addition to being breathtakingly beautiful, Tang Dynasty pottery was of great practical use. Much of it was used for domestic ware such as bowls, cups, and plates, and also for religious objects and architectural features. The thin, light pottery was also preferred for tea drinking and Zen Buddhist practices. In the late Tang Dynasty period, pottery wares related to Buddhism made up an important and unique branch of pottery art.

Tang Dynasty ceramics have made a profound impact on the history of Chinese ceramic making. Their brilliance has inspired countless artists and craft people through centuries of ceramic development and innovation. Nowadays, Tang Dynasty pottery is still appreciated in museums and private collections.crafted and decorative art.