A range of white-and-blue glazed porcelain ware enclosed by a large glass dome attracts visitors' attention due to the clear and bright colors reflected by from the glass dome. (Photo: Women of China/Jin Jin)
A Chinese porcelain plate is shown at the exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing in March. (Photo: Women of China/Jin Jin)
An exhibition exploring the ancient and fragile art of Chinese porcelain kicked off at the National Museum of China in Beijing in March.
At it best, Chinese pottery manifests a glorious and splendid culture and is the "crystal" of an ancient Chinese people's wisdom. The country was one of the first in the world to invent ceramics, also known in many places around the world simply as 'China'. Ceramic ware has shown continuous development and prosperity since the pre-dynastic times, and is today one of the nation's most significant cultural forms.
The latest exhibition shows about 130 pieces of ancient Chinese porcelain, including color-glazed, under glazed and on-glazed variations of colored porcelain. Visitors can see pots, as well as plates and other items, representing the best examples from each of the three main techniques.
During the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties (1038-1911), color-glazed porcelain became associated with east China's Jingdezhen, where it was among the region's largest industries. This type is colored using both high- and low-temperature glazes with cooper, iron or gold as the coloring agent.
Generally speaking, color-glazed porcelain is classified into the following categories: blue, dark reddish, blue-and-white. Acclaimed as "man-made gem", the porcelain gives a brilliant appearance and is silky smooth to the touch.
Under-glaze colored porcelain has enjoyed a high and long reputation around the world due to its colorful hue, graceful artistic style, exquisite handcraft, diverse varieties and designs. Colorful yet still subtle is the unique attribute combination of this technique. Besides, crystal-clear and bright, creative patterns and clear structure are another two of its distinguishing features.
Also known as "over-glazed" or "enamel colors," on-glazed colored porcelain could be finished and fired with three complex procedures, covering bisque, glaze-base and decoration. Decorations showing symbols and holding cultural connotations are regarded as the main points of difference in this technique.
The invention of Chinese ceramic ware has made a great contribution to the history of porcelain worldwide. China is still home to many outstanding porcelain artists, who not only keep the art of porcelain alive but also promote the tradition of Chinese painting and all aspects of the "fired arts" via the means of exports today.
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