The Relationship Between Shibosi And Porcelain Export During Song Dynasty

The development of the porcelain in Song Dynasty was the result of combined effects of the whole community. As porcelain commodity economy was blooming, foreign trade was growing. The Department of Shibosi was the organization of Song government to manage oversea trade. The development of trade in Southeast ceramic had much to do with the rise and decay of ports. Shibo port played a significant role in promoting production and development of ceramic export. The production and development of export porcelain kiln near ports, especially those of Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong were maturing. Most of their porcelain were for export and had the characteristics of imitating famous porcelain kilns and overseas orders.The porcelain export played an important role in the income of Shibosi because there was export tax and it increased the income of Shibosi directly. Moreover, it's stipulated by the court that the organization of Shibosi should trade with silk and porcelain only when they traded in Shibosi, for they thought it was a pity to purchase with money. As a result, porcelain had also played the role of alternative currency and was paid to foreign businessmen in quantity. Porcelain helped the organization of Shi -bosi reduce monetary expenditures to foreign merchants and increased the income of Shibo correspondingly.