Page 24 - Yuan Dynasty Ceramics

Chapter 07 (pp. 330-385)_Layout 1 7/7/10 5:42 PM Page 353

glaze was used with painted decoration in cobalt blue. In
addition, examples of works with copper red, and a com-
bination of cobalt blue and copper red, were recovered.
Other wares were covered with sapphire blue glaze, with
some featuring additional gilt decoration or reserve white
motifs such as dragons chasing pearls. Yuan wares with
similar decor are known (Figs. 7.31, 7.32). The most un-
usual works are the very few pieces, mentioned earlier,
that have a peacock blue glaze with underglaze cobalt
blue or applied gilt dragons.
Vessels that could be reconstructed at Doufulong were
of various shapes: drum-shaped convex-sided jars; large,
round covered containers; tall, cylindrical covered jars;
and covered jars with small bases and wide shoulders.
The first two shapes aid in the dating of this group of
wares. The drum-shaped covered jars have the Tibetan
Lamaist double vajra design on the lid and a pair of dou-
7.30. Jingdezhen imperial dragon jar for weiqi (go) game pieces, ble-horned five-claw dragons on the body. Indeed, the jar
Yuan dynasty, reign of the Wenzong emperor (1328–1332), 11.8 shown in Figure 7.30 is similar in size and shape to a
cm tall. Excavated from Doufulong, Zhushan district,
Northern Song incised Yaozhou celadon weiqi (go) game
Jingdezhen. Jingdezhen Institute of Ceramic Archaeology.
piece jar excavated in Shaanxi province (see Fig. 6.13).
The contents of the excavated celadon jar established its
purpose. Inside were black and white pieces for the
for game pieces, is believed to have come from this site board game weiqi favored by the educated Chinese (and
(Fig. 7.30). Here too was found a heretofore unknown known in Japan as “go”). The presence of the game
imperial ware with peacock blue glaze (see Figs. 7.15, pieces is compelling evidence: even though Khubilai
7.16). All of the wares from Doufulong are of very high Khan had established a program of Chinese language and
quality and provide evidence of experimentation in glaze literature study for the imperial princes, only the Wen-
technology, production methods, and design. zong and Shundi (r. 1333–1368) emperors were well
In 1988, the site was accidently discovered during versed in Chinese culture. Of these two, only the Wen-
roadwork in the heart of the city of Jingdezhen. Because zong emperor is noted to have enjoyed both painting and
local authorities would only grant a brief delay, Liu playing weiqi. 88
Xinyuan and the staff at the Institute of Ceramic Archae- The second group of wares found at the site—the
ology could conduct only a limited salvage operation. round covered containers with peacock blue (see Figs.
Therefore, it has not been possible to determine a date 7.15, 7.16) or with sapphire blue glaze—offer further in-
87
based on stratification or dated excavated material. Lit- formation about when these wares were produced. In the
erary sources, as well as other discoveries, suggest that center of the lower portion of these pieces is a round,
the wares found at Doufulong were made at the Yuan im- raised plateau that is unglazed. Between the plateau and
perial kiln for Emperor Wenzong (r. 1328–1332). More the wall of the base is a glazed trench. When not in use
than 90 percent of the wares in the find at Zhushan were these containers were covered by a lid decorated with
decorated with five-claw dragons, a motif reserved for two-horned five-claw dragons. The exterior of the bases
the emperor. The imperial kiln thus may have been lo- are embellished with auspicious clouds, wave crests, or
cated nearer to this site than Hutian and Luomaqiao, roaming dragons. The classic text on inkstone connois-
where limited amounts of blue and white wares have also seurship, Xi Qing Inkstone Manual, which was compiled
been found. Since high-quality Yuan blue and white has around 1737 for the Qianlong emperor, notes that “Song
not been found in significant quantities at any Jingdezhen (dynasty) Chengni bishui yan (inkstones) have a round
kiln, it is the author’s opinion that the Yuan imperial kiln raised cylinder in the middle; between the cylinder and
has itself not been found. the walls is a ditch that is deep and wide.” Given the sim-
Beautiful combinations of glaze and decoration adorn ilarity of the Doufulong wares to this description and to
the porcelains recovered at Doufulong. Transparent two examples of pre-Yuan inkstones—a Tang dynasty

Yuan Dynasty Ceramics 353