Porcelain stoneware was invented and perfected in China. The origins of porcelain lie far back in the remote past. Primitive stoneware was already being produced as early as the Shang Dynasty (c. 21st century-16th century BC), during the slave period of Chinese history. Porcelain gradually developed into one of China's most representative products.
Qingci (celadon) was an early type of Chinese porcelain, characterized by its yellow and green glaze. With the Sui-Tang period (581-907), the porcelain industry entered a period of great prosperity. Tang sancai (Tang Dynasty tricolored porcelain) was highly regarded both at home and abroad.
The Song Dynasty (960-1279) saw the rise of the "Five Great Kilns" of China, each producing distinctive styles of porcelain. During the Song-Yuan period (960-1368), Chinese porcelain became highly prized throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe, joining earthenware, bronzeware, and glassware as an important material of daily use.
Further breakthroughs in glazing and production techniques were made during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), with various styles of multi-colored porcelain including qinghua (blue and white), youlihong (red underglaze), and wucai (five-color) produced on a large scale.
It was during this period that qinghua (blue and white) porcelain was perfected and came to characterize the Ming Dynasty. China's luminous multi-colored porcelain was often given as gifts on diplomatic missions.
(ChinaCulture.org June 17, 2005)
