Tang Ceramics Essay

Ceramics existed since 24000 BCE or even earlier. They are solid inorganic compounds made up of metallic and non-metallic elements. They are so prevalent now that they covered more than 80% of earth crust, which include cement, clay, diamond, gemstone, glass and electronic devices. One constituent of ceramics is the Chinese ceramics. It consists of low-temperature-fired ceramics (bricks and pottery) and high-temperature-fired ceramics (porcelain). From technological aspect to aesthetic value, they are visually striking and durable. Although the blue and white porcelain reached its zenith during the Ming dynasty (1368 to 1644 AD), it was actually invented during the Tang dynasty (618 to 906 AD). Tang ceramics have been influential. It thrived and proliferated through exports. Based on archaeological research, well-known Tang ceramics include tri-colour glazed

From the brown appearances of the bowls, they are likely to be Changsha wares. Since they were often associated with motif painted with iron brown and copper green pigment. Although some wares were shattered in this shipwreck, some of it survived in one piece. The darker brown painted at the sides on the bowl might seem decadent. But they are still in relatively good form even till today. The durability of the Tang dynasty’s ceramics is remarkable. Birds decorated on the bowls further displays another characteristic of the Changsha ware. As shown in Figure 3, Changsha ware have a large range of motifs which include as bird, flowers, fish, landscape, calligraphy and abstract-looking motif. Chinese ceramists perhaps made ceramics with decoration and style that suit foreigners in order to increase the demand. Some motifs were influenced by the Islamic culture such as Arabic script. While others showed religious motifs which include Buddhist lion and Makara. Their method of ceramics production is impressive given their technology during Tang