Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Earth
Cee’s last week of the five Chinese element challenges: Earth.
On the Chinese new year day, I’m choosing to post the stories of Chinese ceramics to close Cee’s special five challenges.
Ancient types of Chinese ceramic wares were made at around ten to eleven thousand years ago.
The sophistication of Chinese potters is best exemplified by the legion of terracotta warriors found in the tomb of the first Qin Emperor (221-210 BC).
The three-colored ware in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) is one of the most famous ceramic development in Chinese history, using the bright yellow, green and white glazes.
During the Sung (or Song) Dynasty (960-1279), the making of porcelains reached its new high. The new potting techniques (glaze and firing processes) in conjunction with the aesthetic design and elegant colors set a high standard of excellence.
Blue and white porcelains of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) are characterized by the purity of its kaolin clay body. Also, it was the first time in history, porcelains were mass-produced. Between 1350 and 1750 Jingdezhen was the production center for nearly all of the world’s porcelains; over three million pieces were exported to Europe between 1604 and 1657 alone.
During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911, the last Chinese dynasty before the revolution), the five-colored porcelains made another breakthrough from the traditional porcelain design by using flowers, landscape, and figurative scenes to decorate the porcelains.
–The above photos are from wiki commons and Artvalue.com.
Auction Records by Sotheby:
- A washer (5 1/4″) of Song Dynasty was sold for $26,820,645 on April 4th, 2012:
- A blue and white vase (14 3/8″) of Ming Dynasty was sold for $21, 762,580 on Oct. 5, 2011:
- A rose floral medallion bottle vase (17 1/4″) of Qing Dynasty was sold for $18, 149,677 on Oct. 8. 2010:
Notes:
The most exquisite ceramics and porcelains are housed in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan. It has a permanent collection of 693,507 ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks, encompassing over 8000 years of Chinese history from the Neolithic age to the late Qing Dynasty. Most of the treasures were collected by emperors and royal families.
I was also impressed by the Chinese porcelain collections in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Thanks to Cee for her wonderful five-element challenge theme! I hope you enjoy reading and viewing these ancient, precious, delicate, elegant, and beautiful treasures.
What’s the oldest one they have in a museum?
February 9, 2013 at 7:16 pm
Great question. I’d love to know too… Thank you for visiting!
February 9, 2013 at 7:43 pm
I tried to google research, but didn’t get good info. The oldest surviving art is in the famous caves of western Europe, up to 40,000 years old. Sculptures in bone and stone of Venus figures date back 10,000 years.
February 10, 2013 at 12:21 am
Homo origin in Africa 2.36 million years ago, moved to Europe 1.85 myr ago, to China 1.7 myrs; and, the oldest cave paintings dated 40,800 year ago so far. Then, pottery probably could go much further than 40,000 years. One study has shown that “storing things early humans may have made bags from skin long ago. By around 26,000 years ago, they were weaving plant fibers to make cords and perhaps baskets. About 20,000 years ago, in China, they began making pottery.”
Thank you for rising the question and for sharing your finding.
February 10, 2013 at 7:39 am
Thanks for that information. But I bet that pottery shards are not impossible to find. I also read that works of art may have pre-dated utilitarian items. Those cave paintings in France are fine fine works of art.
February 10, 2013 at 5:29 pm
Many years ago, we made a trip to Lascaux caves in the Dordogne and had the privilege to see one of cave paintings. It was the only cave opened to visitors (200 per day). Incredible art works! The tour guide said those paintings were 20,000 years old.
February 10, 2013 at 8:15 pm
You’re lucky to have seen them.
February 10, 2013 at 10:48 pm
Perfect!
February 9, 2013 at 7:38 pm
Thank you so much for taking time to read and like it, TWG!
February 9, 2013 at 7:45 pm
These are some real beauties…
February 9, 2013 at 7:50 pm
Appreciate your comment! Hope you enjoy the weekend.
February 9, 2013 at 8:28 pm
Beautiful pottery…
Have a wonderful weekend, Amy..
February 9, 2013 at 9:28 pm
Thank you, Bams! You too.
February 10, 2013 at 7:45 am
these are fantastic! great entry for this week.. very impressive indeed ^^
February 9, 2013 at 11:18 pm
Thank you, kz! Glad to hear from you. Happy Chinese new year!
February 10, 2013 at 7:47 am
Kung Hei Fat Choi
February 10, 2013 at 7:51 am
To you too, kz!
February 10, 2013 at 7:53 am
Intriguing assortment. This is a beautiful post.
February 9, 2013 at 11:59 pm
Thank you for reading and comment, Marylin!
February 10, 2013 at 7:50 am
Hi Marylin, Thank you so much for reading it! I appreciate your encouraging comment.
February 11, 2013 at 6:59 pm
Happy Chinese New Year. Beautiful and priceless ceremics with a very rich, fascinating cultural history.
February 11, 2013 at 4:00 am
Glad you like it, IT! It’s always encouraging to hear your comment.
February 11, 2013 at 7:03 pm
:O these are lovely Amy … Happy Year of the Snake!
February 11, 2013 at 8:57 am
Thank you so much for taking time to read it! It’s wonderful to connect with you, better year to come!
February 11, 2013 at 7:01 pm
They are all stunning… Isn’t it just remarkable that a wash basin will go for such a sum? WoW!
February 18, 2013 at 3:57 pm
I’m so glad you caught this on, I thought you might enjoy reading it… The basin is a rare and perfect piece, and has been able to copy the glaze technique, etc. Still, the sum of little treasure is Unbelievable!
February 18, 2013 at 6:37 pm
Awesome selection Amy. The Tang horses are my favourite.
Green with envy that you were able to visit the Lascaux caves
February 24, 2013 at 2:39 pm