Blue and White Porcelain, also known as White-ground Blue and White Porcelain or simply Blue and White, is one of the mainstream varieties of Chinese porcelain and belongs to the category of underglaze colored porcelain. Its uniqueness lies in the use of cobalt ore containing cobalt oxide as raw material to paint decorations on the ceramic body, which is then covered with a layer of transparent glaze and fired in a high-temperature reducing flame in a single firing process. After firing, the cobalt material appears blue, characterized by strong coloring power, bright coloration, high firing rate, and stable coloration. Blue and White Porcelain, with its artistic style of blue and white contrast and refreshing elegance, has become a treasure of traditional Chinese culture.
Development History
The history of Blue and White Porcelain is long, with its origins dating back to the mid-to-late Tang Dynasty, more than 1,300 years ago. Although the number of blue and white porcelain pieces from the Tang Dynasty is not large, they have already taken shape, such as the blue and white porcelain shards unearthed in Yangzhou and the blue and white striped bowls collected by the Fung Ping Shan Museum in Hong Kong. In the Song Dynasty, the production skills of blue and white porcelain further developed, but it truly matured during the Yuan Dynasty. In the Hutian Kiln of Jingdezhen, the production of blue and white porcelain reached a new height, with heavy and full-bodied bodies, rich decorative compositions, and multiple layers without confusion.
During the Ming Dynasty, blue and white porcelain became the mainstream of porcelain, and its production skills and artistic style reached their peak. The blue and white porcelain of the Yongle and Xuande periods was renowned for its exquisite production and bright coloration, becoming a model for later generations to imitate. In the Qing Dynasty, the production skills of blue and white porcelain were further promoted, and the “Five-Color Blue and White” of the Kangxi period pushed the art of blue and white porcelain to a new height.
Artistic Characteristics
The artistic value of blue and white porcelain is not only reflected in its refreshing and elegant artistic style with profound meaning but also in its inscription art and decorative techniques. The inscriptions on the bottom of blue and white porcelain, including words and patterns, are numerous, with distinct era characteristics for each period. For example, during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, chronogram inscriptions began to appear on blue and white porcelain, with elegant seal script and lotus petal borders; during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, the inscriptions were neat, and the blue and white material was bright.
The decorative techniques of blue and white porcelain are diverse, including outlining and shading, which make the colors of blue and white porcelain distinct and rich in variation. The themes of its decorations are also extremely rich, including figures, animals, plants, poetry, etc. The paintings of scholars and historical figures on Yuan Dynasty blue and white porcelain contain rich cultural connotations and symbolic meanings.
Cultural Value
Blue and White Porcelain is not only a symbol of traditional Chinese culture but also an important carrier of China’s cultural exchanges with the outside world. It was once an important commodity on the Silk Road on the Sea, influencing ceramic production techniques worldwide. The pigment “Sumali Blue” used in Yuan Dynasty blue and white porcelain was favored for its purity and distinctive characteristics, depicting blue and white porcelain that was bright and three-dimensional.
The decorations on blue and white porcelain, such as lotus flowers, dragons and phoenixes, and stories of figures, all contain rich symbolic meanings of traditional Chinese culture. The lotus symbolizes purity and elegance; dragons and phoenixes are mascots in traditional Chinese culture, representing power and nobility; and stories of figures often draw on ancient Chinese myths, history, or literature, conveying traditional virtues such as loyalty, filial piety, chastity, and righteousness.
Modern Inheritance and Innovation
In modern times, blue and white porcelain can be roughly divided into three categories: daily-use porcelain, antique-imitation porcelain, and artistic porcelain. Daily-use porcelain is designed to be simple and elegant, easy to clean, and the beautiful patterns add joy to dining; antique-imitation porcelain mimics ancient styles and patterns, possessing high artistic value and satisfying people’s longing and pursuit of traditional culture; artistic porcelain focuses more on creativity and artistic expression, serving as a medium for artists to express personal emotions and thoughts.
As the birthplace of blue and white porcelain, Jingdezhen’s production techniques have been listed as a nonmaterial cultural heritage, receiving continuous inheritance and development. On the basis of inheriting traditional craftsmanship, contemporary craftsmen continuously explore and practice, incorporating modern design ideas and technologies into the production of blue and white porcelain, creating both practical and beautiful daily-use porcelain and artistic porcelain. For example, Jingdezhen Ceramic University has cooperated with international designers to integrate the traditional elements of blue and white porcelain into modern home furnishing design, satisfying the needs of modern life while showcasing the charm of traditional culture.
Conclusion
Blue and White Porcelain, with its reputation as a thousand-year-old porcelain charm and an Oriental treasure, has become a treasure of traditional Chinese culture. It is not only a representative of Chinese ceramics but also a symbol of Chinese culture. In future development, we have reason to believe that blue and white porcelain will continue to radiate new brilliance, serving as a bridge connecting the past and the future, and enabling the world to better understand and appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese culture.