The Study On The Shape Characteristics Of Ceramic Incense Burner Unearthed In Nanjing

As the incense culture of the Six Dynasties(222-589)gradually formed,the ceramic incense burners of the Six Dynasties laid the foundation of the basic shapes and types.It was given unique artistic styles in the Six Dynasties,an era with the most artistic spirit.At that time,it was the first peak of the development of ceramic art.The growing maturity of technology makes its shapes more charming.As the capital of the Six Dynasties,Nanjing has collected a lot of humanities.The ceramic incense burners of the Six Dynasties that were produced here were full of representative meanings and lead the fashion of the times.This paper will study the ceramic incense burners in Nanjing during the Six Dynasties,based on the collection,collation and analysis of relevant information,many on-the-spot visits,as well as the interviews and exchanges with the researchers of Nanjing Archaeological Research Institute.From the shape characteristics,it will classify and carry out the comparative study.Its types can be divided into four categories: basket type,ball type,Boshan type and tripod type.This paper will explore its origin,the change of its shapes,and the factors of its changed shape from the respect of the vertical time;from the horizontal area,this paper will compare the shapes of the incense burners with those in other areas in order to find out the similarities and differences.From the exterior to the interior,this paper will analyze the special function and the cultural meaning from its shapes in Nanjing during the Six Dynasties,which makes its shapes more clearly and systematically.Finally,this paper will give a summary of the common characteristics of plenty of types of ceramic incense burners unearthed in Nanjing.As a result,the incense burners were more elegant in the early period of the Six Dynasties;and they had a trend of becoming more simple and slender in the later period of the Six Dynasties which represents people's special appreciation of clearness and simplicity.What's more,different types of incense burners learn from one another.However,every type of incense burner is filled with its unique function and cultural meaning.Compared to other regions,the ceramic incense burners in Nanjing own much richer and more colorful shapes,and even sophisticated craftsmanship.It eventually provides a great deal of reference and inspiration for the later generations,and they will constantly find the nutrients from it.