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Shiwan Architectural Roof Tiles In Figurines & Statues / Shiwan Ceramic Goddess of the Moon Architectural Figure
« Last post by GeorgeI on February 24, 2021, 10:50:43 am »Shiwan Ceramic Moon Goddess
Olaf K. Skinsnes
Recent Posts
42
Shiwan Ceramic Classification, Dating, Glaze, Shapes / Classification of Shiwan Pottery (Part Three)
« Last post by GeorgeI on February 24, 2021, 02:39:33 am »Classification of Shiwan Pottery (Part Two)
Classification of Shiwan Pottery (Part Three)
Shiwan Wares, Exhibition Catalogue
https://tinyurl.com/rvu4n837
Zu Tang-Ju and Nanshi Wares, An Analysis ( Shiwan Ceramic )
Li Jingkang was the first person to publish a list of 26 well known Shiwan potters, and in so doing was the first person to describe and classify the Shiwan wares of Nanshi and Zu Tang Ju which were the first two on his list. He considered these Shiwan wares to be of the Ming period alone with the names of Chen Wencheng, Yang Sheng and Ke Song. He did not include the name of Yang Ming who is reputed to have been a brother of Yang Sheng and who was later also listed as a Ming potter by Zhang Weichi.
Li Jingkang's information about these two Shiwan wares is based on the ink manuscript entitled, "A Study Of Shiwan Pottery", "In the possession of a certain gentleman in Fushan", which indicates that the Shiwan wares were related to each other. This book, he says was read by LiGengting. It traces the source of Shiwan ware to a Song dynasty in Yangjiang Sian, and secondly relates that because Dongguan's Bai Shan clay was comparatively finer, the potters then built a kiln in Dongguan and went into production. Their products had the seal Nan Shi Tang impressed in regular scrip. After this they again moved from Dongguan to Shiwan in Nanhai Xian establishing Zu Tang Ju. Unfortunately he says, the manuscript does not record the date of the move.
While accurate dates of Shiwan ceramic must await further study, a speculation may her be put forth. It is thought that Zu Tang Ju Shiwan ceramic wares are are generally of the Ming period. In the Shiwan pieces exhibited here, the Ming Shiwan potter Yang Ming is likely associated with both Dongguan Zu Tang Ju and Nanhai Nanshi Shiwan wares. Thus it is likely that this potter was involved in the move from the one location to the other, and it is likely that some of these Shiwan wares are of the Ming period. In the early Qing period Dongguan experienced great turmoil in connection with Zhang Jiayu, a scholar from the Dongguan district. At the successful onslaught of the Manchus, this official fled south with the emperor and helped organize resistance against the Manchus especially in his home district. The whole district rallied to him and when the effort failed the Manchu troops devastated the whole area, killing several tens of thousands and the whole of Zhang's family. According to a local tradition, this incident dated 1647 was the reason why the Zu Tang Ju kilns went out of production and their Shiwan potters moved to Nanhai. Should the above be the case, it could be speculated that the light weight category of Zu Tang Ju ware was produced in the Ming period in Dongguan, while the heavy weight category and the Nanshi wares were produced in Nanhai beginning in the early Qing period. The above is suggested as a reasonable hypothesis. Confirmation of course must await further research efforts.
Classification of Shiwan Pottery (Part Three)
Shiwan Wares, Exhibition Catalogue
https://tinyurl.com/rvu4n837
Zu Tang-Ju and Nanshi Wares, An Analysis ( Shiwan Ceramic )
Li Jingkang was the first person to publish a list of 26 well known Shiwan potters, and in so doing was the first person to describe and classify the Shiwan wares of Nanshi and Zu Tang Ju which were the first two on his list. He considered these Shiwan wares to be of the Ming period alone with the names of Chen Wencheng, Yang Sheng and Ke Song. He did not include the name of Yang Ming who is reputed to have been a brother of Yang Sheng and who was later also listed as a Ming potter by Zhang Weichi.
Li Jingkang's information about these two Shiwan wares is based on the ink manuscript entitled, "A Study Of Shiwan Pottery", "In the possession of a certain gentleman in Fushan", which indicates that the Shiwan wares were related to each other. This book, he says was read by LiGengting. It traces the source of Shiwan ware to a Song dynasty in Yangjiang Sian, and secondly relates that because Dongguan's Bai Shan clay was comparatively finer, the potters then built a kiln in Dongguan and went into production. Their products had the seal Nan Shi Tang impressed in regular scrip. After this they again moved from Dongguan to Shiwan in Nanhai Xian establishing Zu Tang Ju. Unfortunately he says, the manuscript does not record the date of the move.
While accurate dates of Shiwan ceramic must await further study, a speculation may her be put forth. It is thought that Zu Tang Ju Shiwan ceramic wares are are generally of the Ming period. In the Shiwan pieces exhibited here, the Ming Shiwan potter Yang Ming is likely associated with both Dongguan Zu Tang Ju and Nanhai Nanshi Shiwan wares. Thus it is likely that this potter was involved in the move from the one location to the other, and it is likely that some of these Shiwan wares are of the Ming period. In the early Qing period Dongguan experienced great turmoil in connection with Zhang Jiayu, a scholar from the Dongguan district. At the successful onslaught of the Manchus, this official fled south with the emperor and helped organize resistance against the Manchus especially in his home district. The whole district rallied to him and when the effort failed the Manchu troops devastated the whole area, killing several tens of thousands and the whole of Zhang's family. According to a local tradition, this incident dated 1647 was the reason why the Zu Tang Ju kilns went out of production and their Shiwan potters moved to Nanhai. Should the above be the case, it could be speculated that the light weight category of Zu Tang Ju ware was produced in the Ming period in Dongguan, while the heavy weight category and the Nanshi wares were produced in Nanhai beginning in the early Qing period. The above is suggested as a reasonable hypothesis. Confirmation of course must await further research efforts.
43
Shiwan Ceramic Marks / Shiwan Ceramic Mark of Yunyu shi
« Last post by GeorgeI on February 23, 2021, 06:43:47 pm »Shiwan Ceramic Falcon and bear in biscuit. Early 20th century. Shiwan ceramic Mark of Yunyu shi
44
Shiwan Ceramics Links and Sites / Shiwan, A world! Together, learn about the products of Shiwan Kiln and Shiwan Kiln
« Last post by GeorgeI on February 19, 2021, 01:16:43 am »Shiwan, A world! Together, learn about the products of Shiwan Kiln and Shiwan Kiln
Exhibition, Foshan City Museum and Chengdu Museum jointly curated 6 lectures, including experts from the Palace Museum, Foshan pottery masters and Shiwan kiln researchers.
Huang Xiaoxuan, director of the collection research department and deputy research librarian of Foshan City Museum, brought a wonderful lecture to the citizens' friends in Chengdu, "The Product Characteristics of Shiwan Kiln and Shiwan Kiln"
http://www.foshanmuseum.com/news/detail.html?id=2882
Exhibition, Foshan City Museum and Chengdu Museum jointly curated 6 lectures, including experts from the Palace Museum, Foshan pottery masters and Shiwan kiln researchers.
Huang Xiaoxuan, director of the collection research department and deputy research librarian of Foshan City Museum, brought a wonderful lecture to the citizens' friends in Chengdu, "The Product Characteristics of Shiwan Kiln and Shiwan Kiln"
http://www.foshanmuseum.com/news/detail.html?id=2882
45
Shiwan Ceramics Links and Sites / Shiwan Ceramic Art and "The Art of Still Things": Ancient Humble Shiwan Pottery
« Last post by GeorgeI on February 19, 2021, 01:11:06 am »Shiwan Ceramic Art and "The Art of Still Things": Ancient Humble Shiwan Pottery
http://www.gongshe99.com/culture/973305.html
http://www.gongshe99.com/culture/973305.html
46
Shiwan Ceramics Links and Sites / Shiwan Kiln, the Giant Pottery of Lingnan, Which is the Innovation of Chenggu
« Last post by GeorgeI on February 19, 2021, 01:08:33 am »Shiwan Kiln, the Giant Pottery of Lingnan, Which is the Innovation of Chenggu
http://www.zhongguociwang.com/show.aspx?id=15846&cid=132
http://www.zhongguociwang.com/show.aspx?id=15846&cid=132
47
Qing Dynasty Shiwan Ceramics 1644 to 1912 / Re: Unusual Shiwan Clay Figure
« Last post by GeorgeI on February 19, 2021, 12:57:39 am »Found another very similar gongzai dated Qing.
48
Qing Dynasty Shiwan Ceramics 1644 to 1912 / Monumental Qing Dynasty Shiwan Pottery Village
« Last post by GeorgeI on February 17, 2021, 12:54:47 pm »This Monumental Qing Dynasty Shiwan Pottery Village is up for auction. If I were a wealthy man, this would be coming home to me !
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Shiwan Ceramic Classification, Dating, Glaze, Shapes / Classification of Shiwan Pottery (Part Two)
« Last post by GeorgeI on February 14, 2021, 12:28:05 am »Classification of Shiwan Pottery (Part One)
Classification of Shiwan Pottery (Part Two)
Shiwan Wares, Exhibition Catalogue
https://tinyurl.com/rvu4n837
Tang Ju Ware: A Description
Among potters, collectors and dealers in Shiwan pottery, there has been general agreement that the Zu Tang Ju wares are of Ming dynasty manufacture. There have been differing opinions however as to where these reputedly high quality wares which imitated the Tang dynasty three color style were made and as to which were genuine. Some have adamantly claimed that this group was made in Shiwan of Nanhai, and others just as adamantly that it was made in Dongguan. A search through local Hong Kong collections over the past three years tends to suggest that samples of this ware may be divided into two categories with the likelihood that one was produced in Dongguan and the other in Nanhai.
In the 1957's and 60's more in accordance with the mind of a scientist bent on solving a problem that that of a collector searching for fine art, Dr O.K. Skinsnes began to buy samples which appeared on the market of a rather coarsely modelled three color ware with a light weight biscuit and a thin ash glaze some of which bore the Zu Tang Ju mark. Having heard about the lighter Dongguan clay and also the persistent hearsay that the fabled Zu Tan Ju wares were made in Dongguan, he became convinced that these were the wares spoken of, and persistently built a collection of around thirty pieces, a number of which carry the Zu Tang Ju or related marks.
These wares however are very different from the vase with a Zu Tang Ju mark displayed in the Museu Luis de Camoes which in turn is almost identical to a piece accepted as genuine which the author saw exhibited in the Historical Museum in Gangzhou in 1977. The two latter pieces evince a rather heavier biscuit with a glassier, more evenly applied glaze. Several other pieces from local Hong Kong collections, often called Zu Tang Ju also seem to be of the heavier type. A number of people have suggested that the light weight ware might be fake. A search of currently practicing local Hong Kong potteries however, failed to turn up anything similar. Discussion with the archaeologist in Fushan also was to no avail, apparently nothing of this type had been unearthed in the Fushan area by 1978. However, among the pieces selected by the Guangdong Museums for exhibition in Hong Kong, and example of light weight Zu Tang Ju with a mark is included along with two examples of heavier pieces with marks, all accepted by the Guangdong opinion as genuine.
It this appears quite likely that the wares of Zu Tang Ju include two types, one with a very light weight biscuit and one with a heavier biscuit, perhaps evidence that one was made in Dongguan and the other in Shiwan of Nanhai Xian.
Light Weight Zu Tang Ju, A Full Description
It is well documented that Dongguan has had deposits of a fine grade of clay and has long been an exporter of clay to Shiwan in Nanhai Xian. Dongguan supports minor potteries today and it is not unlikely that it did so in the past. On a trip to Dongguan in March of 1978, the author had occasion to examine their clay and also the unique variety of a very fine grained sand that is dug from the bottom of a riverbed. The conditions seem appropriate for the production of the ware described below.
This group of wares is distinguished by a very light weight weight, buff colored biscuit. A few wares bear the oval mark "Zu Tang Ju" (Tang Replication Hall) which according to tradition, indicated the desire of the Shiwan potters to follow in the tradition of Tang three color pottery. One piece bears the square mark "Yong Chang Ship". Most of the wares however, although three color in style, bear no mark at all. Some of the pieces are quite finely modelled, but others are rather course.
The biscuits are covered with a thin ash glaze which includes the following colors: green, yellow, amber, a light rice straw yellow, dark brown, and occasional black. Pieces are glazed either in monochrome or in varying combinations of these colors.
Heavy Weight Zu Tang Ju, A Description
The biscuits tend to be heavier than the light weight Zu Tang Ju, but are generally smooth to the touch and do not display the course sand granules which makes Shiwan ware of Nanhai Xian rough to the touch. The workmanship is usually of finer quality than that in light weight Zu Tang Ju.
The glazes are smooth, glassy and more evenly applied than the light weight variety, and are not as obviously imitation Tang three color style. Instead they are more subdued greens, eel skin yellow, crab green, and amber brown, although there are some lovely examples of three color glazes in which the colors intermingle in drops.
Again, some of these pieces bear single or double ringed oval stamped marks with the regular scrip characters Zu Tang Ju. Shapes in imitation of bronze are still favorites.
Nanshu Ware, A Description
No systematic effort has ever been made to collect this type of Shiwan ware, and aside from one piece exhibited at the Hong Kong Museum of Art and three items on permanent display in Macau, it has never been exhibited. Over the past three years several pieces have been found in private collections in Hong Kong and a number of pieces have appeared on the market. In addition, examples exist in the work storage area of the Ancestral Temple in Fushan and a few pieces are exhibited at the Dongguan Museum.
Among collections of Shiwan, this ware, like that of Zu Tang Ju is fabled to have been made for a wealthy household which accepted only the finest of specimens. Some have also speculated that they were not made for wealthy households, but were simply the marks of a certain potters kiln. From specimens collected in the Ancestral Temple, Fushan archaeologist emphasize that this ware as all Shiwan ware was produced in people's kilns of course, have been handed down through generations of collectors who later have rejected coarse samples as being fake.
Marks to note, p 218.
Wu nan shi tang, Nan shi, Wu nan shi, Nan shi luo wan ya zuo, Nan shi tang zuo, Luo tong sheng hao, Xuan De lu ding, Da Ming Xuan De and Tao dian.
The marks suggest that two mamily surnames were connected with the Nanshi wares and Luo.
Part Three
Classification of Shiwan Pottery (Part Two)
Shiwan Wares, Exhibition Catalogue
https://tinyurl.com/rvu4n837
Tang Ju Ware: A Description
Among potters, collectors and dealers in Shiwan pottery, there has been general agreement that the Zu Tang Ju wares are of Ming dynasty manufacture. There have been differing opinions however as to where these reputedly high quality wares which imitated the Tang dynasty three color style were made and as to which were genuine. Some have adamantly claimed that this group was made in Shiwan of Nanhai, and others just as adamantly that it was made in Dongguan. A search through local Hong Kong collections over the past three years tends to suggest that samples of this ware may be divided into two categories with the likelihood that one was produced in Dongguan and the other in Nanhai.
In the 1957's and 60's more in accordance with the mind of a scientist bent on solving a problem that that of a collector searching for fine art, Dr O.K. Skinsnes began to buy samples which appeared on the market of a rather coarsely modelled three color ware with a light weight biscuit and a thin ash glaze some of which bore the Zu Tang Ju mark. Having heard about the lighter Dongguan clay and also the persistent hearsay that the fabled Zu Tan Ju wares were made in Dongguan, he became convinced that these were the wares spoken of, and persistently built a collection of around thirty pieces, a number of which carry the Zu Tang Ju or related marks.
These wares however are very different from the vase with a Zu Tang Ju mark displayed in the Museu Luis de Camoes which in turn is almost identical to a piece accepted as genuine which the author saw exhibited in the Historical Museum in Gangzhou in 1977. The two latter pieces evince a rather heavier biscuit with a glassier, more evenly applied glaze. Several other pieces from local Hong Kong collections, often called Zu Tang Ju also seem to be of the heavier type. A number of people have suggested that the light weight ware might be fake. A search of currently practicing local Hong Kong potteries however, failed to turn up anything similar. Discussion with the archaeologist in Fushan also was to no avail, apparently nothing of this type had been unearthed in the Fushan area by 1978. However, among the pieces selected by the Guangdong Museums for exhibition in Hong Kong, and example of light weight Zu Tang Ju with a mark is included along with two examples of heavier pieces with marks, all accepted by the Guangdong opinion as genuine.
It this appears quite likely that the wares of Zu Tang Ju include two types, one with a very light weight biscuit and one with a heavier biscuit, perhaps evidence that one was made in Dongguan and the other in Shiwan of Nanhai Xian.
Light Weight Zu Tang Ju, A Full Description
It is well documented that Dongguan has had deposits of a fine grade of clay and has long been an exporter of clay to Shiwan in Nanhai Xian. Dongguan supports minor potteries today and it is not unlikely that it did so in the past. On a trip to Dongguan in March of 1978, the author had occasion to examine their clay and also the unique variety of a very fine grained sand that is dug from the bottom of a riverbed. The conditions seem appropriate for the production of the ware described below.
This group of wares is distinguished by a very light weight weight, buff colored biscuit. A few wares bear the oval mark "Zu Tang Ju" (Tang Replication Hall) which according to tradition, indicated the desire of the Shiwan potters to follow in the tradition of Tang three color pottery. One piece bears the square mark "Yong Chang Ship". Most of the wares however, although three color in style, bear no mark at all. Some of the pieces are quite finely modelled, but others are rather course.
The biscuits are covered with a thin ash glaze which includes the following colors: green, yellow, amber, a light rice straw yellow, dark brown, and occasional black. Pieces are glazed either in monochrome or in varying combinations of these colors.
Heavy Weight Zu Tang Ju, A Description
The biscuits tend to be heavier than the light weight Zu Tang Ju, but are generally smooth to the touch and do not display the course sand granules which makes Shiwan ware of Nanhai Xian rough to the touch. The workmanship is usually of finer quality than that in light weight Zu Tang Ju.
The glazes are smooth, glassy and more evenly applied than the light weight variety, and are not as obviously imitation Tang three color style. Instead they are more subdued greens, eel skin yellow, crab green, and amber brown, although there are some lovely examples of three color glazes in which the colors intermingle in drops.
Again, some of these pieces bear single or double ringed oval stamped marks with the regular scrip characters Zu Tang Ju. Shapes in imitation of bronze are still favorites.
Nanshu Ware, A Description
No systematic effort has ever been made to collect this type of Shiwan ware, and aside from one piece exhibited at the Hong Kong Museum of Art and three items on permanent display in Macau, it has never been exhibited. Over the past three years several pieces have been found in private collections in Hong Kong and a number of pieces have appeared on the market. In addition, examples exist in the work storage area of the Ancestral Temple in Fushan and a few pieces are exhibited at the Dongguan Museum.
Among collections of Shiwan, this ware, like that of Zu Tang Ju is fabled to have been made for a wealthy household which accepted only the finest of specimens. Some have also speculated that they were not made for wealthy households, but were simply the marks of a certain potters kiln. From specimens collected in the Ancestral Temple, Fushan archaeologist emphasize that this ware as all Shiwan ware was produced in people's kilns of course, have been handed down through generations of collectors who later have rejected coarse samples as being fake.
Marks to note, p 218.
Wu nan shi tang, Nan shi, Wu nan shi, Nan shi luo wan ya zuo, Nan shi tang zuo, Luo tong sheng hao, Xuan De lu ding, Da Ming Xuan De and Tao dian.
The marks suggest that two mamily surnames were connected with the Nanshi wares and Luo.
Part Three
50
Qing Dynasty Shiwan Ceramics 1644 to 1912 / Qing Shiwan Tea Cup Pottery
« Last post by GeorgeI on February 12, 2021, 08:35:57 am »Can not help but share this Shiwan tea up that 蕭忠明 shared on Facebook. These kind of utilitarian Shiwan pottery objects are especially beautiful to me.
