The Development And Evolution Of The Design Art Of The Chinese Ancient Ceramics

This dissertation makes a macroscopic and systematic study of the development and evolution of the design art of the Chinese ceramics,and reveals the artistic development and characteristics of the Chinese ceramics over the six historic periods,from the pre-historic period,Xia,Shang and Zhou,Qin and Han,Wei-Jin and the Southern and Northern Dynasties,Sui and Tang Dynasties and the Five Dynasties,to Liao-Jin,Song and Yuan,Ming and Qing Dynasties.With a systematic analysis of the materials,types,artistry,models,decoration,functions,aesthetics,significances of the various ceramics over the historic periods,it explores the features of the design art of the Chinese ceramics.This dissertation consists of six chapters:Chapter 1 begins with the origin of the ceramics,describes the origination and development of the pre-historic ceramics,and by clarifying the manufacturing materials,models,artistry,decorations and firing methods during the early,middle and late periods of the Neolithic era,summarizes the evolutional process of the ceramic art.Chapter 2 describes the basic features of the ceramics during the Xia,Shang and Zhou periods,analyzes the classification of the ceramics by their daily functions and ritual functions;the relationship between the ceramics and the bronze ware,as well as the artistic development of characteristics then prevailing in color painted pottery,polished black press-pattern pottery and the ceramics existing in the surrounding area.Chapter 3 expounds the ceramics during the Qin and Han Dynasties,including the daily used ceramics with apparent decorations and the burial used ceramics when the burial ceremony was prevailing,reveals how glazed pottery originated in the Han Dynasty,and points out that the artistic features and aesthetic values witnessed great development during that period of the ceramic art.Chapter 4 depicts the ceramic quality,baking atmosphere,firing process,modeling and decorative glaze colors,clarifies the artistic features of the glazed pottery and ceramic figurines during the Wei-Jin and the Southern and Northern Dynasties,Sui and Tang Dynasties and the Five Dynasties.Chapter 5 makes an introduction to the daily used pottery which combined the practical and aesthetic features during the Liao-Jin and Song and Yuan Dynasties,clarifies the heritage relationship between the glazed pottery in the Song-Liao-Jin period and the ceramic figurines in the Song-Jin-Yuan period,and summarizes the ceramic design which combined the practical and aesthetic features.Chapter 6 displays the characteristics of zisha teapots,fahua glazed pottery,shiwan glazed pottery and other types of pottery during the Ming and Qing Dynasties,and gives a brief account of the ceramic figurines and pottery of the ethnic minorities during the period.By the above study,this dissertation tries to offer an outline of how the design art of the Chinese ceramics developed and evolved in the ancient times,explore the development rules and cultural values of the ancient Chinese ceramics as well as its importance in the history of the Chinese artistic designs.