Clay Work

Ancient China Art

Chinese clay work is one example of Chinese Art that reflects nature, the beliefs,and values of the ancient Chinese because it is very symbolic, and represents ancient Chinese life. The techniques were usually passed down from generation to generation and artists were organized and were sometimes part of larger workshops with a kiln. They were very skilled and always looked for ways to improve their craft.

Neolithic Chinese Jar

This jar from Gansu in north central China is dated about 2500 bc. It is a very early wheel-thrown piece and features geometric designs in black and reddish-brown on a buff-colored body. This piece may have been used as a burial urn.

Bridgeman Art Library, London/New York

The first known pottery is from the Neolithic Period and was used for practical and religious reasons like ritual cereonies and burial urns. Potter's wheels were already used at this time. During the Shang Period, improvements were made and new clays and glazes were used.

Tomb Figurines, Han Dynasty

Ceramic figurines such as these were commonly made in China during the Han dynasty (206 bc- ad 220) to be buried with the deceased. Known as ming-chi’i, these figurines were usually quite small and often were meant to represent real people. In this case the four originally brightly painted figures are musicians.

Bridgeman Art Library, London/New York

Royalty began to use other materials for their tombs and took most of their possessions to the after life with them. The Han people were buried with small ceramic copies of their possessions from everyday life like a favorite pet, a home, or even servants. These were painted in bright colors and called ming ji yi, which means spirit goods.

Terra-Cotta Tomb Figures

More than 6000 life-size terra-cotta warriors stood in perfect formation in the tomb of Chinese emperor Qin Shihuangdi, from the time of his death in 210 bc until their discovery in 1974. These highly individualized armed figures reveal not only a great degree of artistic achievement, but also a disregard for the human and capital costs that characterized the Qin dynasty.

Corbis/Wolfgang Kaehler

The most interesting discovery of clay work in China was of Emperor Shi Huangdi's terra cotta army that were made to protect him in the after life. Thousands of soldiers were made of coarse clay from Mt. Li by 700,000 slaves. Bright colored glazes were used and have now mostly flaked off and faded. The heads,ears,arms,legs and hands were fired separately and then added later. Each was unique and represented an actual soldier with rank and sometimes authentic armor. The sharpshooters clothes were lightweight so they could move fast and the officers had the most detailed uniforms. The soldiers stood at attention or were posed in action with automatic crossbows and rivers of mercury protected the entrance. Other advances at this time included Yueh-yao, which were bowls, and jars made of green glazed stoneware. They were used for trade in Egypt and the Philippines.

Celadon Ware Dish

This dish from the Song dynasty, China (960-1279), is made of stoneware that has been stamped and incised with a delicate floral design. The dish was glazed with a transparent, iron-pigmented glaze known as celadon and then fired in a reduction kiln. The result is a subtle color that pools at the edges of the design, creating a shaded effect. Celadon ware was popular in China from the Zhou period through the Song dynasty.

Bridgeman Art Library, London/New York

The celadon glazed stoneware was then created which was more smooth and delicate and was molded instead of using a coiled technique or a potter's wheel. They also used kaolin, which is thin white clay that produced a smooth finish. Before the Chinese discovered kaolin, all clay work in the world was coarse and rough because of the kind of clay that was used. Buddhism was also an influence at this time and small statutes of the Buddha were made from clay.

Tang Pottery Camel

This standing camel was made during the Tang dynasty (618-906) in China. It is probably a tomb figurine, many of which were made at that time. The glazes were made of lead, and the colors were originally vivid. Tang potters took advantage of properties inherent in the medium of clay. Up to that time sculptors working in clay tended merely to imitate existing bronze pieces.

Bridgeman Art Library, London/New York

The Tang Dynasty also continued with tomb figures and sculptures but also invented porcelain, which used kaolin and ground feldspar. This was the most important achievement in clay work. During the Song Dynasty, porcelain became highly decorated objects of art and trade. Pieces " were scholarly objects of the court painters and each represented a virtue. Kilns were established throughout China, each kiln site had its own style." The smooth finish of porcelain with the use of better glazes and beautiful painting techniques made Chinese porcelain a much wanted item throughout the world. Chinese emperors built factories and porcelain became as valuable to trade as silk. The Yuan and Ming Dynasties had even more improvements and growth in trade.

Yuan Dynasty Vase

This blue and white porcelain vase was produced during the Yuan period (1279-1368) in China. Artists discovered that painting a mixture of ground cobalt and water onto a piece before firing produced rich, blue decoration. This blue and white ware became popular in China, as well as Europe and the Muslim world.

Art Resource, NY/Giraudon

The Chinese were unsurpassed when it came to clay work and they valued this achievement. Each piece was valued in trade and their style and technique influenced others. Clay work was taken from a simple, practical Neolithic bowl to an art form that provided the ancient Chinese with wealth, power, religious value and beauty in their everyday lives.