Dynasty Pottery

Taiwan Stamp set Sc 2196 2199 MNH Tri color Pottery of the Tang Dynasty
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US $7.49

1931 Print Ming Jar Dynasty Chia Ching Pottery Ceramic Metropolitan Museum Art
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US $54.95

Pair Chinese Ming Dynasty glazed pottery figures
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US $450.00

Ming Dynasty Seated Tomb Pottery Figure
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US $400.00

China Stamps S46 Scott592 599 Tri Coloured Pottery of Tang Dynasty 1961
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US $321.95

Han Dynasty Large Chinese Painted Pottery Jar
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US $2,150.00

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The Chalre Collection comprises a diverse range of pottery styles used over the past 1,000 years. Tradeware ceramics tell the story of how the peoples of Asia forged social and commercial ties with each other during ancient times. The descriptions below represent the primary styles of tradeware ceramics in the Chalre Collection.

Celadon

Celadon is a western word used originally to describe the green glaze of ceramics from Longquan in China. The glaze is made of clay mixed with wood ash and is 2-5% iron, and must be fired in an oxygen reduced atmosphere.

The celadon method began to be used in the 7th century in China. By the time of the Song dynasty (960-1280), the skills of the potters had advanced to a high degree that fine vessels had a jade-like appearance and texture. By the 14th century, motifs such as lotus flowers and stylized chrysanthemums were incised for decoration.

Celadon production in Thailand seems to have started in the later part of the 14th century - around the time of the 'Ming ban' of 1371 when emperor Hongwu decided to prohibit his subjects from trading with all other people. It is thought that Chinese migrants were responsible.

Blue-and-White Porcelain (also called "Underglaze Blue")

Porcelain is the best known type of ceramic tradeware. It is often referred to as `Blue-and-white' from its 'underglaze blue' (blue cobalt oxide below the glaze). The reason Chinese porcelain became so famous is probably because it was traded widely by Europeans from the 17th century onward. By that time, China had already exported blue-and-white porcelain to the Middle East and Southeast Asia for five centuries.

The first Portuguese merchants to visit China eventually realized the value of the "white gold" and started importing limited quantities for the nobles of Europe. It was however first in 1603 that the Dutch East India Company (VOC) sent a load of porcelain to Amsterdam where it was sold for enormous profit. From that date on, Chinese blue-and-white porcelain became known as the finest in the world and much desired in Europe and North America.

"Blue-and-white" porcelain first appeared during the Yuan dynasty (1127 - 1279) but became so pervasive during the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644) that today blue-and-white and Ming are commonly used interchangeably.

Whiteware

Whiteware porcelains began to be made on a large scale in the Jingdezhen region of China and at many other southern kilns from the time of the Song dynasty (960 - 1279). The most famous of the early porcelains was qingbai (pronounced ching-pie). Whiteware porcelains were traded throughout Southeast Asia. Until eclipsed by blue-and-white in the 14th century, it was the dominant Chinese porcelain of its era.

Qingbai (also called yingqing) translates literally as "clear bluish-white." The jade-like texture of the porcelain results from the clear glaze that contains iron in small amounts. When applied over a white porcelain body the glaze produces a greenish-blue colour. Some have incised or moulded decorations.

Underglaze Black

Long before the Chinese made blue-and-white porcelain using cobalt, a black iron oxide was used to paint motifs below a clear protecting glaze. This technique, used at Cizhou in northern China, developed independently from the celadon production in southern China.

By the 14th century, the so-called underglaze technique appeared in Thailand and Vietnam. Fish, and chrysanthemums representing long life and happiness, were preferred at Thailand. In Vietnam, a flower motif was common. It is highly possible that the underglaze decoration technique (painting with oxides and then applying glaze) arrived in both Thailand and Vietnam with immigrating Chinese potters.

Three-Colour Ceramics (also called "Sanci")

Sancai means three-colours. However, the colours of the glazes used to decorate the wares of the Tang dynasty (618 - 911) were not limited to three in number. In the West, Tang sancai wares were sometimes referred to as egg-and-spinach by dealers for the use of green, yellow and white. Though the latter of the two colours might be more properly described as amber and off-white / cream.

Sancai wares originate from northern China. At kiln sites located at Tongchuan, Neiqui county in Hebei and Gongxian in Henan, the clays used for burial wares were similar to those used by Tang potters. The burial wares were fired at a lower temperature than contemporary whitewares. Burial wares, such as the well-known representations of camels and horses, were cast in sections, in moulds with the parts luted together. In some cases, a degree of individuality was imparted to the assembled figurines by hand-carving.

Multi-Coloured Qing

During the Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), potters began using bright colours to adorn plates and vases with meticulously painted scenes. Porcelain ceramicists began producing five-coloured ware by applying a variety of underglaze pigments to floral, landscape and figurative scenes - a style which was (and is) highly sought-after in the West.

During the Yung Cheng era (1723-1735) porcelain was enhanced by the development of fencai enamel in a wide range of colours and tones.

Earthenware

Earthenware is the earliest type of pottery known to have existed for the past 10.000 years. Secondary clay was formed on the pottery wheel or rolled into strings and laid on top of another to form the pot. Earthenware was commonly fired in simple open pits and therefore found in most early civilizations. Firing temperatures normally reached 400C to 700C.

It is thought that most of the earthenware found its way on trade ships as necessities of the men sailing the vessels. Their limited number suggests that earthenware was never made for export.

By Richard Mills, Chairman Chalre Associates

For more information: The ceramic arts collection of Chalre Associates Executive Search one of the largest non-institutional collections of tradeware ceramics in the region of Southeast Asia. It is the intention of the firm's principals, Rebecca Bustamante and Richard Mills, that a significant portion of it will become the property of a major museum or other public body at an appropriate time in the future.

In the meantime, to enjoy the collection online go to http://ceramics.chalre.com

Chalre Associates Executive Search International Executive Search: Chalre Associates provides its Executive Search services throughout the Asia Pacific region. Regional Managers use us to help bridge the gap between local environments and the world-class requirements of their multinational corporations.

Web: http://www.chalre.com

TPE_NPM-Chinese Pottery between Han and Sung Dynasties