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THE creation of porcelain marked an important
stage in the progress of human civilization. China started to produce porcelain
during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). About 600 years ago porcelain began
being classified into two classes, official and folk. These two categories of
porcelain varied in both their production processes and artistic style, and
despite coming under the same generic heading, official and private kilns
followed separate tracks of development for the following hundreds of years.
Imperial Tributes and Official
Kilns
As soon as it appeared, porcelain became an integral part of daily life, its
chief value, from the point of view of both its producers and consumers, being
in its utility. At this time there was no clear distinction between nobility and
inferiority, and there were no official or private kilns.
The Tang Dynasty (618-907) experienced a period of political enlightenment,
social stability and economic and cultural prosperity. Its porcelain industry
developed rapidly, and celebrated kilns and products soon emerged. Celadon from
the Yue Kiln in the south, and white porcelain from the Xing Kiln in the north
were famous for their high quality, both types having been likened respectively
to jade and silver. At this time there were dozens of such noted kilns.
Porcelain from such celebrated kilns was highly valued by the imperial family
and the nobility, not only for its utility, but also for its aesthetic
qualities. Consequently, it was often offered in tribute. The ruling class of
the Tang Dynasty did not monopolize the production and consumption of famous
kilns, so exquisite porcelain ware was available to whosoever could afford it.
However, by the Five Dynasties Period (907-960) things had changed. As a
matter of security, certain local regimes reserved fine porcelain products for
purposes of imperial tribute, and maintained a monopoly on their products.
Consequently, kilns producing such porcelain became exclusively official.
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