Page 2 - Yuan Dynasty Ceramics

Chapter 07 (pp. 330-385)_Layout 1 7/7/10 5:42 PM Page 331

chapter 7

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Yuan Dynasty Ceramics

laurie e. barnes

T he surrender in 1276 of the Southern Song capital Lin’an (now Hangzhou)

to the inexorable forces of Khubilai Khan marked the conquest of an ex-

traordinarily sophisticated cultural group by nomadic tribesmen whom most
Asians regarded as barbaric. The Yuan dynasty ceramics that emerged from

this period of Mongol rule, however, are as significant as the classically ele-

gant Song ceramics that preceded them and the refined Ming works that fol-
lowed. Even before all the Song territories were annexed, Khubilai’s own

imperial kiln was established in 1278 at Jingdezhen. Perhaps foremost, Mon-
gol dominance spurred the creation of one of China’s most sought-after

products, blue and white porcelain (known in Chinese as qinghua ciqi). 1

Ceramics were a highly prized exchange item during this last period of
overland Silk Road trade. The terminus of the Silk Road was the great capi-

tal of Dadu, partial ruins of which can still be seen in Beijing. This city was
the economic and cultural center of the Mongol empire, forming the hub of

Khubilai’s four Khanates: the Golden Horde ruled Russia; the Il-Khanate

presided over Persia and the Middle East; the Chagatai Khanate held sway
over western Asia; and the Great Khanate controlled Mongolia and China.

According to Marco Polo (1254–1324), who is a worthwhile source despite

recent controversy about the veracity of his travels in Asia, the population

Details, figure 7.48 (opposite) and figure 7.51 (above)