Civilian Porcelain Identification: Body, Glaze, and Painting

Author: Tie Yuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: A Comprehensive Guide to Identifying Republican-Era Porcelain is a monograph on Republican-era porcelain research, divided into two volumes: Volume 1: A Comprehensive Guide to Identifying Republican-Era Porcelain—Body, Glaze, and Painting Styles, and Volume 2: A Comprehensive Guide to Identifying Republican-Era Porcelain—Patterns, Markings, and Authenticity. This volume includes five parts: a brief history of Republican-era porcelain production, body composition, glaze colors, painting styles, and shapes. The book features over 550 exquisite images, most of which are rare Republican-era pieces and have rarely been published. The historical overview section elaborates on the entire process of Republican-era porcelain production and the related "porcelain culture" phenomena across various industries, using dozens of rarely-seen old photographs. With meticulous historical records and rigorous research, it restores the true nature of the Republican-era porcelain industry. It covers all aspects related to Republican-era porcelain, including history, religion, folklore, institutional systems, education, economy, literature, opera, and science, making it multidisciplinary in nature. Notably, the exploration and study of the little-known porcelain pieces for honoring Chiang Kai-shek’s birthday and the ceremonial porcelain for the National Government have filled gaps in the history of Republican-era porcelain research, allowing readers to appreciate the splendor of the Republican-era "imperial kiln" porcelain.
The body and glaze section details the formulations of various raw materials and the key identification points for different types of porcelain. The painting section not only explains the coloration mechanisms and formulations of different pigments but also includes comparative analyses and introductions to painting techniques, which readers eagerly seek to understand, making it as if they are witnessing the artisans at work. The shape section is both comprehensive and meticulous, covering both traditional and innovative Republican-era designs. It particularly provides detailed explanations of shaping techniques, ranging from large items like vases and jars to small ones like bowls, plates, and porcelain sculptures. If readers were to personally hand-build or inlay these pieces, they would break free from the common generalizations about dimensions, mouths, bases, and handles found in most porcelain books, showcasing unparalleled practicality.