Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Song Dynasty Pottery


The Song Dynasty began in 960 CE and ended in 1279 CE. The Song Dynasty which consisted of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 CE) and the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 CE), was revered for it's prosperous economy and radiant culture. The Song Dynasty was considered another 'golden age', rivaling that of the glorious Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 CE) itself.

The Northern Song Dynasty was founded by Zhao Kuangyin, a military general in the Latter Zhou Dynasty (951 - 960 CE). In 960 CE, Zhao Kuangyin launched a rebellion in Chenqiao county (modern Henan Province), and it was not long after that that the last Zhou Emperor was forced from his throne, and the Song Dynasty was established at Kaifeng.

There are many who feel that pottery and porcelain production approached it's zenith during this period, and there are a multitude of pottery and porcelain types of great historical note that are synonymous with Song Dynasty Culture.

Ding Ware


Ding Ware was produced at the Ding kilns in Hebei province, northern China, whose white porcelains were considered one of the 'five great treasures' of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE). The others were called Ru, Jun, Guan and Ge wares. Ding wares were sent to the Imperial court as tribute as early as 980 CE.
Early Ding wares were fired in individual saggers, with the decoration on each piece incised one by one. But, by the late eleventh, early twelfth century; the potters began using molds to decorate the pieces and stacked the pottery for firing, this allowed for mass production: and the production line was born. The decorative effects of these two production methods differs greatly in appearance and there is a striking contrast between the early and the later examples of Ding Ware.

Song Dynasty Pottery The Song Dynasty began in 960 CE and ended in 1279 CE. The Song Dynasty which consisted of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 CE) and the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 CE), was revered for it's prosperous economy and radiant culture. The Song Dynasty was considered another 'golden age', rivaling that of the glorious Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 CE) itself. The Northern Song Dynasty was founded by Zhao Kuangyin, a military general in the Latter Zhou Dynasty (951 - 960 CE). In 960 CE, Zhao Kuangyin launched a rebellion in Chenqiao county (modern Henan Province), and it was not long after that that the last Zhou Emperor was forced from his throne, and the Song Dynasty was established at Kaifeng. There are many who feel that pottery and porcelain production approached it's zenith during this period, and there are a multitude of pottery and porcelain types of great historical note that are synonymous with Song Dynasty Culture. Ding Ware Ding Ware was produced at the Ding kilns in Hebei province, northern China, whose white porcelains were considered one of the 'five great treasures' of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE). The others were called Ru, Jun, Guan and Ge wares. Ding wares were sent to the Imperial court as tribute as early as 980 CE. Early Ding wares were fired in individual saggers, with the decoration on each piece incised one by one. But, by the late eleventh, early twelfth century; the potters began using molds to decorate the pieces and stacked the pottery for firing, this allowed for mass production: and the production line was born. The decorative effects of these two production methods differs greatly in appearance and there is a striking contrast between the early and the later examples of Ding Ware.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Song Dynasty Pottery

The Song Dynasty began in 960 CE and ended in 1279 CE. The Song Dynasty which consisted of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 CE) and the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 CE), was revered for it's prosperous economy and radiant culture. The Song Dynasty was considered another 'golden age', rivaling that of the glorious Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 CE) itself.
The Northern Song Dynasty was founded by Zhao Kuangyin, a military general in the Latter Zhou Dynasty (951 - 960 CE). In 960 CE, Zhao Kuangyin launched a rebellion in Chenqiao county (modern Henan Province), and it was not long after that that the last Zhou Emperor was forced from his throne, and the Song Dynasty was established at Kaifeng.

There are many who feel that pottery and porcelain production approached it's zenith during this period, and there are a multitude of pottery and porcelain types of great historical note that are synonymous with Song Dynasty Culture.

Ding Ware


Ding Ware was produced at the Ding kilns in Hebei province, northern China, whose white porcelains were considered one of the 'five great treasures' of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE). The others were called Ru, Jun, Guan and Ge wares. Ding wares were sent to the Imperial court as tribute as early as 980 CE.
Early Ding wares were fired in individual saggers, with the decoration on each piece incised one by one. But, by the late eleventh, early twelfth century; the potters began using molds to decorate the pieces and stacked the pottery for firing, this allowed for mass production: and the production line was born. The decorative effects of these two production methods differs greatly in appearance and there is a striking contrast between the early and the later examples of Ding Ware.

*This information is provided courtesy of Asian Antiquities who can be found at http://asian-antiquites.com