Pot (A Treasure of Chinese Ceramics)

Author: Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Porcelain is one of the great inventions of ancient China. Chinese ceramics have a long history and enjoy a world-renowned reputation, earning the title of "Porcelain Kingdom." A pot is a container primarily used for holding liquids. Archaeological sites from China's Neolithic Age have unearthed pottery pots, such as the Yangshao Culture Banpo-type painted pottery boat-shaped pot selected in this issue, which has a unique design and is an artistic treasure among Neolithic painted pottery. Porcelain pots became popular after the Han Dynasty, with diverse shapes. Common types include flat pots, disc-mouthed pots, chicken-head pots, rooster-crowner pots, belt-fastened pots, pouch pots, multi-mu pots, monk-hat pots, gourd-shaped pots, handled pots, as well as wine pots (known as zhusi during the Tang and Song dynasties) and tea pots, which are still in use today. The twenty objects selected in this issue are masterpieces of exquisite craftsmanship and magnificent glazes, representing typical examples of pot types from various dynasties.