A Preliminary Study Of Bionic Porcelain In Qianlong Period Of The Qing Dynasty

Qianlong Bionic porcelain of the Qing dynasty in this paper is studied as the main subject systematically. And this paper is divided in to six parts.Introduction contains basic facts of Qianlong bionic porcelain, present status of studies of Qianlong bionic porcelain, purpose of this paper and its significance. Up till now, there are fewer writings on studies of Qianlong bionic porcelain. They are Kiln of Bionic Porcelain for the Use of Qianlong Emperor written by Lv Chenglong, Kiln of Bionic Porcelain for the Use of Government Officials of Qianlong Emperor written by Jiang Song, The Artistic Features of Qianlong Bionic Porcelain written by Ning Gang and Li Na and other writings, which introduce you the general situation but never present you all–round, systematic and comprehensive studies of Qianlong bionic porcelain. In order to have an all-round studies on Qianlong bionic porcelain, about one hundred Qianlong bionic porcelain are collected to make a study, which are now regarded as the classic porcelain handed down from ancient times and are hold in places or shops home and abroad. Based on the collected data and present research achievements, Qianlong bionic porcelain is classified in details in order to make all-round narration. In addition, the reason has been studied that Qianlong bionic porcelain develops and thrives in order to present an all-round and systematical analysis and study, to offer relative basis and documents for further studies as well as making a contribution to Qianlong bionic porcelain. Moreover, Qianlong bionic porcelain is an important part of classic art products handed down from ancient times with significant artistic value and historical value. It perfectly combines traditional Chinese culture and technology for work of art. It is a crystallization of wisdom and creative thinking of ancestors. Great achievements in traditional porcelain manufacturing in Qing dynasty are revealed as well as old and creative technology at that time.Chapter I narrates the concept and scope of bionic porcelain with analysis. The writer thinks that bionic porcelain is that the main body, not one part of the implement copies the creature, implements etc. in real life then painting enamel metal ware, and the intrinsic shape and features of the non-porcelain. The whole implements express the meaning of bionic. It may copy surface features, material quality, grain etc. of humans, animals, plants, implements or objects. It is so skillfully imitated as to be in distinguishable from the original and it is hard to make a distinction between the original and the fake. Bionic porcelain has three features. Firstly, it is the main body, not one part of the implement copies the creature, implements etc. in real life then painting enamel metal ware. Secondly, bionic porcelain owns the intrinsic shape and features of the non-porcelain, including the traditional shape of the porcelain, glazing color, material surface and so on. Thirdly, the whole implements express the meaning of bionic. It is so skillfully imitated as to be in distinguishable from the original and it is hard to make a distinction between the original and the fake. There are two kinds of bionic porcelain. One is modeling bionic porcelain that the main body of the implement copies the shape of creature, implements in real life, then painting enamel metal ware. The other one is decoration bionic porcelain that is the main body of the implement copies the material and surface of creature, implements in real life, then painting enamel metal ware.Chapter II, Simulation Bionic Porcelain. Qianlong simulation bionic porcelain uses porcelain to simulate style of living beings, wares and other different objects in the real world to achieve the bionic effect. This kind of porcelain has the simulation works which grasp features of things and are lifelike even to mix the spurious with the genuine, also has exquisite works which use microcosmic things to simulate style of objective things. According to the collected information, Qianlong simulation bionic porcelain can be divided into five types such as simulating human beings, simulating animals, simulating plant, simulating wares and simulating architecture. In which, bionic porcelain for simulating human beings has two forms, one is porcelain figure doll for simulating human beings, the other is incense-holder for simulating human beings. Bionic porcelain for simulating animals can be divided into three types basing on the different forms that are simulating beast, simulating poultry and birds and simulating aquatic animal. Bionic porcelain for simulating plant can be divided into three types according to different forms that are simulating fresh fruit and dry fruit, simulating flower and leaf and simulating vegetable. Bionic porcelain for simulating wares can be divided into two types according to different forms that are simulating utensils for living and wares for worshiping Buddha. Bionic porcelain for simulating architecture has five pieces, which can be divided into two types according to different forms that are simulating tower and simulating pavilion.ChapterⅢ, Ornament Bionic Porcelain. Qianlong ornament bionic porcelain, which is kind of fired porcelain, uses porcelain to simulate material quality and texture of living beings, wares and other different objects in the real world to achieve the bionic effect. According to the collected information, Qianlong ornament bionic porcelain can be divided into nine types such as simulating woodware, simulating lacquerware, simulating copperware, simulating gold vessel, simulating stoneware, simulating jade article, simulating bamboo ware, simulating white wax glaze ware and simulating sharkskin glaze ware. In which, bionic porcelain for simulating woodware has four types according to different forms, which are simulating wooden bowl, simulating footed bowl, simulating wooden brush pot, simulating wooden enamel flask. Bionic porcelain for simulating lacquerware can be divided into two types basing on the different forms according to the collected information, which are simulating carved lacquerware, the other is simulating red lacquer. Bionic porcelain for simulating copperware can be divided into three types according to different forms basing on the collected information, which are simulating bronze ware with gold and silver, and simulating gilding copperware. Bionic porcelain for simulating gold vessel has two pieces that are simulating golden ring for Buddhist musical instruments. Bionic porcelain for simulating stoneware has two types according to the collected information, which are simulating stone texture ware and simulating rock. In addition, there are many kinds of types such as simulating jade article, simulating bamboo ware, simulating white wax glaze ware and simulating sharkskin glaze ware.ChapterⅣ, reasons for the development and prosperity of bionic porcelain in Qianlong Period. The author thinks that there are four reasons after analysis.Ⅰ. Support from the good social situation, the good social situation in flourishing Qianlong Period accomplished the thriving porcelain industry which was the basis of the development and prosperity of bionic porcelain that broke through the traditional aesthetics and processes;Ⅱ. The highly developed porcelain industry was just the extensive development and maturity of technological level, which provided essential conditions for the development and prosperity of bionic porcelain in the Qianlong Period.Ⅲ. Influences and supports from emperor Qianlong, which are reflected in the following three aspects:Ⅰ. Influences from interest and taste of Emperor Qianlong who was a self-proclaimed'tasteful'feudal monarch, he was especially keen on porcelain. Under his initiative and influences, custom of worshiping for elegance in the then high society was prevailing. In order to meet the preference of Emperor Qianlong, Jingdezhen royal kiln was then presided by Tang Ying and Cuizong Laoge to try out and innovate to worship Qianlong, fired unique and elaborate wares to please the emperor. To some extent, this stimulated the innovation of porcelain technology.Ⅱ. The sizable financial support from the emperor who was very keen on porcelain, injected huge financial input and support, was a critical guarantee to the prosperous development of the porcelain industry.Ⅲ. Qianlong pursued perfection of porcelain, it could be said extremely strict. The promotion to the development was one of the reasons for prosperity, had a significant impact on porcelain industry.Ⅳ. The outstanding contributions made by supervisor Tang Ying. During Qianlong Period, Tang Ying was fully authorized to be in charge of the kiln, continued to develop on the basis of achievement gained in Yongzheng Period, the technological level of porcelain production reached its peak, innovative works were springing up, formed unique shapes and styles of Qianlong Period. Tang Ying was wholeheartedly devoted, kept improving, took part in porcelain making in person, acknowledged a craftsman as his master, endeavored to master porcelain making technology and became an outstanding expert in porcelain making. His'Emphasizing on methods, having a view on clay and glaze and heating control, and commanding personally'had a significant impact on the innovation of porcelain industry, played a vital role in the development and prosperity of porcelain in Qianlong Period. Due to good management, prosperous scene'the people in the town are increasingly wealthy, the porcelain is increasingly refined and it is encouraging'appeared in Jingdezhen. The prominent contribution made by Tang Ying played a simulative role and was one of the critical reasons of the prosperity of porcelain industry.The Conclusion summarizes and concludes the study made in this thesis. Take the examples of nearly a hundred pieces of Bionic Porcelain in Qianlong Period collected from museums and shops both at home and abroad, this thesis gives it a systematic account, makes an initial study with classification and conclusion methods, defines the concept and scope of Bionic Porcelain, basically sorts out the types and category of Bionic Porcelain, gives a deep study and summary of the reasons of development and prosperity of bionic porcelain.