Featured Image: Detail from Vase with wucai polychrome decoration of one hundred deer motif, Wanlai reign, Ming dynasty 1573-1620.
Breadtag Sagas ©: Author Tony, 1 October 2024
My first visit to Taiwan was permeated with ignorance, which stimulated me to write articles because Taiwan fascinated me in unusual ways. The first article First Visit to Taiwan summarised what I thought I discovered. The second article, though about Snail Lane, follows on with this voyage of discovery. The third article concerns Chinese Ceramics Treasures from the National Palace Museum, Taiwan.
Chinese Ceramics Treasures: National Palace Museum, Taiwan
The art of ceramics has long been synonymous with Chinese civilization. NPM
Main Points
- Introduction
- Chinese History
- History of Chinese Ceramics
- Basic Definitions
- Ceramics from the National Palace Museum, Taiwan
- Values
- Fakes
- Conclusion
1 Introduction
The ceramics in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan were the former holdings of the Qing Empire. They were brought to Taiwan by Chiang Kai-shek and have been a bone of contention with the mainland ever since. In more recent times there has been some form of rapprochement and loans are possible between China and Taiwan.
Apart from a few pieces the National Palace Museum’s collection mostly begins with the Tang Dynasty. It has a good collection of Song ceramics and is dominated by those of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Chinese Civilisation and Technology has been relatively continuous but with some hiccups for more than 4000 years. In that time China has usually invented technologies well ahead of other civilisations. There is no better illustration for this than Chinese Ceramics, which Europe would copy and attempt to duplicate much later.
Joseph Needham (1900-1995) catalogued this in his magnum opus volumes of Science and Civilisation in China (still ongoing). Simon Winchester’s book on Needham, a true British eccentric, is an engaging read. (see my What is history 12 for more details on Needham).
The development of Chinese ceramics as in the quotation above epitomises the genius of China and is central to Chinese dynasties, civilisation and culture.
2 Chinese History
As a rough guide to position the discussion, Chinese history can be subdivided as follows:
2.1 Dynasties BCE
Xia Dynasty (c. 2070–1600 BCE), Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE), Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046–256 BCE), Qin Dynasty (221–206 BCE).
2.2 The Han
The Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) was China’s golden age with major cultural and technological advancements. The Han began the Great Wall.
2.3 Dynasties CE preceding the Tang
Three Kingdoms Period (220–280 CE), Jin Dynasty (266–420 AD), Sui Dynasty (581–618 AD).
2.4 Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE)
Also considered one of China’s high points, it is known for cultural flourishing, territorial expansion, and the only female emperor.
2.5 Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE)
Notable for economic prosperity and technological innovations, but it faced military challenges from northern invaders (a perpetual problem).
2.6 Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 CE)
Established by Mongol leader Kublai Khan, it marked the first foreign-led dynasty to rule China (though the Jurchens, Jin Dynasty (1159-1234) also invaded from the north) and was not particularly popular with Han elites.
2.7 Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 CE)
Known for its cultural achievements and fortifications (like the Great Wall) but eventually succumbed to internal strife and external pressures.
2.8 Qing Dynasty (1644–1912 CE)
The last imperial dynasty, ruled by Manchus, it expanded China’s territory significantly but faced increasing challenges from Western powers leading to its eventual collapse through internal revolt.
2.9 Comment
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. The transitions between these dynasties often involved instability, fragmentation and chaos. The warring States period lasted 250 years during the Zhou Dynasty. The Three Kingdoms period and the following Sui Dynasty weren’t particularly stable. After the fall of the Tang, the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms were characterised by regional warlords before the establishment of the Song Dynasty. However, China is the only place on Earth where there is an almost linear imperial civilisation from the beginnings of history to almost the present.
3 History of Chinese Ceramics
Chinese pottery advanced from simple Neolithic wares to sophisticated high-fired stonewares and early porcelains by the Han Dynasty. Advances were the development of glazes (earliest in the Shang), celadon (also Shang, but properly developed by the Han), and sancai wares (particularly expanded in the Tang Dynasty).
Porcelain was first made in China—in a primitive form during the Tang dynasty (618–907) and in the form best known in the West during the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368). Britannica
Pottery remained an important medium for burial objects and daily use. The foundations were laid for the great flowering of Chinese ceramics in the Tang Dynasty and later periods. These were sponsored, facilitated and controlled by the Emperors.
Each dynasty contributed unique styles and techniques that not only reflected the artistic trends of their time but also played a crucial role in international trade and cultural exchange. The legacy of these developments continues to influence ceramic art worldwide today.
4 Basic Definitions
Glaze: A glassy coating applied to ceramics that can enhance appearance, provide color, and make the surface impermeable.
Celadon: A type of pottery characterised by its jade green glaze, often with a crackled surface, originally developed in China and later popular in other East Asian countries.
Sancai: Literally meaning three colors. Sancai refers to a type of Tang Dynasty pottery that features a lead glaze in three colors—typically yellow, green, and white—often used for decorative figures and vessels.
Porcelain: Vitrified pottery with a white, fine-grained body that is usually translucent.
Doucai: A method of decoration on porcelain where underglaze blue outlines are filled with overglaze enamels, allowing for intricate designs with vibrant colors.
Falancai (Famille and Fencai are similar): Refers to a style of Chinese porcelain characterised by its bright colors and elaborate overglaze decoration, often used for export wares during the Qing Dynasty. Falancai enamels were introduced to the Qing court by western missionaries during the Kangxi reign.
5 Ceramics from the National Palace Museum, Taiwan
There appear to be no one click summaries of The National Palace Museum ceramics collection or, indeed, of Chinese ceramics in general. The National Palace Museum has an excellent website given below, but it takes many clicks to gain an overview.
I hope this photographic overview satisfies a niche.
The photos are Iphone photos taken at the National Palace Museum, Taiwan.
5.1 Late Neolithic
White Pottery gui Vessel, Dawenkou Culture, Shandong
Late Neolithic ~4000 BCE
5.2 Tang Dynasty 618-907 CE
Tang Kilns: Xing Ware, Yue Ware
Pottery Figure of Lady Playing Polo in sancai Tri-Colour Glaze
Tang Dynasty 618-907 CE
The entire piece was done on a yellowish-gray biscuit to which a white slip was applied and then the tricolor colors of yellow, green, white, with ochre. Tang horses are familiar to most of us in sancai glazes. This is a beautiful piece of funery art.
5.3 Five Dynasty 907-960 CE
Celadon Water Container Mise-glaze
late Tang or Five Dynasty 907-960 CE
The piece is covered with greenish-grey glaze.
White Porcelain Pillow in the shape of a Child
Yue Ware, Five Dynasty 907-960 CE
The design is lifelike and alluring. The head and body were made from moulds and fitted together, engraved decorations and impressed patterns were also used.
5.4 Song Dynasty 960-1279 CE
Kilns of the Song Dynasty
North: Ding Ware, Yhaozu Ware, Jun Ware, Ru Ware,
South: Guan Ware, Jingdezen Ware, Longquan Ware, Jian Ware, Ge Ware
Those in bold are the five famous kilns of the Song period. Although the Jingdezhen kiln, which produced marvellous bluish-white porcelain in the Song and during the Ming Dynasty, became the most important production site in the country. The Jingdezhen kilns are the most notable for scholars because they operated in the Song, Ming and Qing dynasties.
5.4.1 Northern Song Dynasty 960-1126 CE
Bowl with Incised Peony Decoration
YaoZhou Ware, Northern Song Dynasty, 10-12th Century
Lotus-shaped Warming Bowl in light bluish-green glaze
Ru Ware, Northern Song Dynasty, Late 11th – early 12th Century
Ru ware is famed as the most beautiful of all celadons. The production of Ru ware quickly came to a halt due to a war between the Song and Jin dynasties. Only about seventy pieces survive of which the National Palace Museum has 21.
Feng-hua Mallet Vase with Bluish-green glaze
Ru Ware, Northern Song Dynasty, Late 11th – early 12th Century
Gall-shaped Vase with Sky Blue Glaze (Celadon)
Jun Ware, Jin Dynasty (contemporaneous with Northern Song), 12th Century
5.4.2 Southern Song Dynasty 1127-1279 CE
Cong Vase with Light Bluish-green Glaze
Guan Ware, Southern Song Dynasty, 12-13th Century
Zun Vessel with Linear Decoration in Bluish-green Glaze
Guan Ware, Southern Song Dynasty, 12-13th Century
Vase with Phoenix-shaped Handles in Celadon Glaze
Longquan Ware, Southern Song Dynasty, 13th Century
The body large and sturdy is typical of Longquan Ware. The Phoenix handles were formed using moulds, their impressed pattern quite delicate.
5.6 Ming Dynasty 1368–1644
Celestial Globe Vase with decoration of dragon among clouds in underglaze blue
Ming Dynasty, Yungle-Xuande reign, 1403-1435
Ming underglaze-blue porcelains of the period used sunima cobalt imported from the Middle East. Its application creates a natural wash effect similar to monochrome ink painting.
Doucai Chicken Cup
Ming Dynasty, Chenghua reign, 1464-1487
The technique of competing colours was popular in the Chenghua reign.
Bowl with Camelia and Plum Blossom decoration in underglaze blue
Ming Dynasty, Jiajing reign, 1522-1566
Planter with Opaque Purple Glaze
Jun Ware, Ming 15th C, 1522-1566
Vase with Ring Handles and underglaze blue decoration of clouds and dragons
Ming Dynasty, Jiajing reign, 1522-1566
Stem Bowl with Underglaze Blue Decoration and Painted Gold Floral Decoration on Red Ground
Ming Dynasty, 16th-17th Century
Pot with Hornless Dragons Decoration, Dehua Ware
Ming Dynasty, early 17th C
5.7 Qing Dynasty 1644–1912
Vase with dish-shaped mouth and hundred long life characters in underglaze blue
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi reign 1662-1672
Bowl with Lotus in Falancai polychrome enamels on a yellow ground
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi reign 1662-1672
The inside of the utensil is plain without lines. The outside has thick colours which stand out on the surface when handled, giving the hues a volumetric effect.
Square Vase with animal mask in turquoise blue glaze
Qing Dynasty, Kangxi reign 1662-1672
Famille Rose Globular Porcelain Vase with Peaches
Qing Dynasty, Qianlong reign, 1735-1796
Painted with Famille Rose of peach tree branches laden with fruit. The forms of porcelain in the Qianlong reign far exceeded those of previous reigns.
Hexagonal Vase with tubular handles, imitating Ge-ware glaze
Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng reign 1723-1735
Ge Ware was from the Southern Song to the Yuan Dynasty. This wonderful vase to my mind is a testament to the appeal of Ge Ware over four hundred years.
White Bowl with Indian Lotus Scrolls
Qing Dynasty, Qianlong reign, 1736-1795
Bowls with Prunus and Magpies on a Yellow Ground and yancai polychrome enamels
Qing Dynasty, Tonzhi reign 1862-1873
Vase with 100 butterflies in Fencai polychrome enamels
Qing Dynasty, Guangxu reign, 1874-1908
Plate with Dragons and Clouds Painted in Red
Qing Dynasty, 1909-1912
6 Values
The market for Chinese ceramics has been rising for the past century but there has been a staggering rise in prices since the 1990s when the Chinese economy improved and high net worth individual Chinese became hungry to regain their past, according to a Sotheby’s expert.
In 2017 a Ru Ware, Guanyao brush washer sold for USD $37.7 million as the most expensive piece ever sold. This was shattered in 2021 by the sale for USD $46.1 million of a yancai revolving phoenix vase from the 18th century — Qing, the Qianlong dynasty, 1736-1795.
In 2023 the top five Chinese ceramics at auction totalled USD $72.7 million.
An interesting sidelight is that the National Palace Museum in Taiwan broke three ceramic dishes worth USD $77 million accidentally in 2021.
After a small but very rare Chinese chicken cup (see photo above) set an auction record after it sold for USD $36 million at Sotheby’s auction in 2014, the vessels became the most faked Chinese porcelain objects in China.
7 Fakes
If you are addicted to the Antiques Roadshow UK as we are then you quickly learn that there are a multitude fake antiques in the world and that many of the better ones come from China.
The faking of Chinese ceramics has been well-established for at least a hundred years. But, in the last thirty years the fakes at the top end have become incredibly sophisticated. Some are almost indistinguishable from the real thing.
Partly, this is chasing the money. At over a million dollars, it is worth putting the effort in to creating a work that can be mistaken for the real thing.
Asked the question, our Sotheby’s expert above said:
Before the imperial kiln site in Jingdezhen had been excavated in the mid 1990s, fakers couldn’t work with the real thing and so they couldn’t feel or tell how it felt. But since the kilns have been properly excavated, there are so many shards there, the fakers can get a hold of this material and get a sense of how an eighteenth century or fifteenth century body should feel.
But, it is more complicated than that and the fakes cover a much broader range. Not only have the kilns been excavated, but the old clays are known, the techniques extensively analysed and sometimes even the moulds are available. And, indeed, more recently provenance is also being faked in clever and sophisticated ways.
8 Conclusion
As I won’t be spending the odd lazy few million on Chinese ceramics in the next few years, I’m not too worried by the fakes. Indeed, I’d rather the best objects were in museums. However, having arrived in Taiwan two days after a major earthquake. I’m hoping that the National Palace Museum in Taiwan is extremely well-designed and earthquake resistant.
I’ve always wanted to understand more about Chinese ceramics and now by visiting Taiwan and writing this article I’ve achieved a layman’s appreciation.
I think this article is an accurate overview of what is a much more complicated and complex area. My antiques dealer friend Trevor Morris has cast his eye over this article and doesn’t think there are any major errors though much is open to interpretation.
The result is a taste of the incredible richness and diversity of Chines ceramics.
Key Words: Chinese ceramics, China, ceramic, National Palace Museum, Taiwan, Tang, Song, Ming, Qing, glaze, porcelain, celadon, sancai, ducai, falancai, value, fakes, Taipei
Further Information
Main Sources
Lin Mei-Chu (Chief ed.) Imperial Taste: The Beauty of Ceramics, National Palace Museum 2016, purchased at the museum.
Perplexity AI was vey helpful too.
The National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum, Taiwan Ceramics Collection Introduction.
Wikipedia on the National Palace Museum
Chinese History
Wikipedia on Chinese History
Most Expensive Chinese Ceramics
The most expensive Chinese Ceramic ever sold in 2021, with detailed pictures. I think the vase is rather ugly and prefer the 2017 Ru ware.
The top five ceramics sold in 2023 by Sotheby’s.
Broken Chinese Ceramics 2021
Ceramics worth $77 million broken by The National Palace Museum, Taiwan in 2021.
Nicolas Chow Sotheby’s Hong Kong
The Sotheby’s expert comments and quotations above come from an interview by CNN with Nicolas Chow, chairman of Chinese works of art at Sotheby’s Asia in 2017.
