A Comparative Study On The Ceramic Art Between Tibet Autonomous Region And Mainland Of China

The purpose of this essay is to, through our research, do some contributions to the development of Tibetan ceramic art. Its significance is to rescue this endangered ancient ethnic cultural heritage. Marxism historical materialism and the approaches of"factual"and"factual analysis"are followed in this essay.The focus of this essay is to analyze and compare the origin, manufacture craft, shape and emblazonry of ceramic art between Tibetan Autonomous region and mainland of China. It goes into five parts: 1. the origin of ceramic art in the two areas. According to archaeological discovery and the identification by authoritative institutions, the two areas have a difference of about 2000 years in the origin of pottery. In New Stone Age, social productivity developed extremely slowly, so the difference of 2000 years may be ignored. Based on preliminary conclusion, Tibetan ceramics emerged in Tubo period. It happened chronically with the actual completion of mainland China's ceramics in Tang and Song Dynasties. Therefore, we concluded that pottery and ceramic art in Tibetan area and mainland China basically originated at the same time period. 2. Similarities and differences of the manufacture crafts. After comparison, profound differences are discovered. a) Ceramic raw material. Mainland China has more diversified ceramic raw materials. Actually, Qintai-Tibet Plateau has a varied topography and rich natural mineral resources. It doesn't lack of ceramic raw materials. b) Instrument. Mainland China has already adopted electrical and mechanical production, while Tibetan area still maintains manual operation. c) Molding and glazing. The diversity of molding, glaze and glazing techniques in Tibetan area is very limited compared to that of mainland China. However, it will develop and increase along with the development of ceramic-making crafts. Tibetan area has a very special inner molding craft, which is scarce in mainland China. d) Kiln. Electrical kiln, gas kiln and other advanced kilns are adopted in mainland China, which are normally high temperature firing, while ancient open-air piling and burning kiln is still practiced in Tibetan area, which is a kind of low temperature firing. Tibetan area shall have plans to introduce advanced kilns and utilize new energy. 4. After analyzing the characteristics of the shape of ceramics in the two areas and comparing the shape of ceramics, we find that: a) the two areas'ceramic shapes are different from each other. Tibetan area's ceramics is not rich in diversity compared to that of mainland China. One reason is that Tibetan ceramic industry is not developed; the second reason is that agriculture in Tibetan area is lagged behind that of mainland China, and the development of ceramic industry is closely related to that of agriculture. However, Tibetan ceramic shapes have developed distinct ethnic flavor. b) The development of Tibetan ceramic shapes is closely related to Tibetan people's living environment, religion, etc. The works are endowed with strong flavor of Tibetan ethnic folk-custom, Tibetan Buddhism, plateau area, etc. c) Ceramic production is widespread in mainland China. Due to natural environment, northerners are rough and bold, and the ceramic works in north China are big and tall. In south China, the ceramics are delicate, exquisite, thin, etc. In a word, the ceramic shape in mainland China is closely related to its natural environment, life style, customs, culture and tradition. d) In the end, we draw the conclusion that the development of ceramic shapes in the two areas is closely related to natural, folk-custom, religious and cultural environment. 4. Appreciate the artistic characteristics of ceramic emblazonry. After analyzing the two areas'characteristics of emblazonry, we find notable differences. a) In the fundamental research of ceramic decoration, Tibetan area is much lagged behind mainland China, where it is well developed and many research institutions have achieved remarkable achievements in the research of ceramic raw materials, glaze, kiln, etc. b) the formation of the style of ceramic emblazonry in Tibetan area is in close relation with local people's natural environment. It is quite natural for ceramic artisans to display, through ceramics, their feelings of life, which is closely related to their living place. c) Ceramic emblazonry is well developed in mainland China, which is mainly reflected in glazing color, drawing, decorative cutting, etc. Due to natural environment, northerners are rough and bold, and in ceramic decoration style, they care little about minor details and shape but attach importance to artistic conception. The southerners are skillful and careful, and the ceramics are white, transparent, thin, and can make loud and clear sound. In general, mainland China often adopts soft zigzag line and arc line, etc. These features are closely related to mainland China's mild natural environment, life style, custom, culture and tradition. d) If only considering the ceramic emblazonry art, in general, the two areas won't differentiate as developed and lagging behind. In the end, we find that Tibetan ceramic emblazonry is endowed with characteristics of Tibetan culture, although it is not as well developed as that of mainland China in general. 5. Compare the development and status quo of ceramic art and ceramic industry in the two areas, and analyze the reasons of difference, such as natural environment, religions, culture, etc. In the end, based on the status quo of Tibetan ceramic art and ceramic industry, the author puts forward some suggestions and the idea of developing"Tibetan ceramic art".