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Collecting
Insights and Perspectives
- Ceramics are one of many Chinese art forms honed and developed over the years, along with painting and calligraphy. However it is the only art form that spans the forty-five centuries of Chinese history.
- The Chinese were innovators in developing ceramics, hence the eventual use of the word ‘china’ as a way to describe the porcelain style of ceramics.
- As with painting, ceramics too had patrons, oftentimes people who influenced the style of the pieces. The locality in which the ceramics were produced would also affect the material and the design. The potters themselves, although incredible craftsmen, remained anonymous.
- The production of ceramics began with the crafting of hand-moulded earthenware vessels for utilitarian and ritualistic purposes.
- Ceramics were initially valued for their utility and their affordability. Their value has only increased over time as society has started to view these pieces as works of art and, literally, as vessels of history.
- As techniques improved, more colours were made available and ceramics became more decorative, particularly during the 15th – 17th century. This was in part to appeal to a wider domestic and foreign clientele.
- During the Qing dynasty (1655-1911) political instability affected the quality of Chinese ceramics, however, the production of ceramics is currently being revived, particularly as Chinese artworks are gaining increased popularity around the globe.
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The oldest Chinese dictionaries define porcelain [cí 瓷] as "fine, compact pottery" [táo 匋].
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| Although there has historically been a demand for ceramics that exceeds supply, causing substantial increases in value, there is no guarantee that this will be the case in the future. Demand for ceramics of a particular area or type may be affected by regional or world trends and tastes. |
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