Tang Tri-colored Glazed Pottery

Tang tri-colored glazed pottery is a low-melting glazed pottery. It is fired for twice times by using kaolin as the base. The base is of pure white and fine texture. After firing the plain base, it is made by adding metallic oxides to the colored glaze including copper, iron, cobalt and manganese. Then re-firing is done after base being glazed. The chemicals in the glaze change gradually in the firing process, creating a variegated effect with a majestic and elegant artistic attraction. Because the three color of yellow, green and white are commonly seen, so it gets the name of “san cai”, tri-colored glazed pottery. Moreover, if it is a human figure, it should be painted in the hair, eyes, eyebrows and lips which were not glazed.

Tri-colored glazed pottery was first found from Tong tombs in Luoyang City in 1905. Later a lot of fantastic tri–colored glazed pottery utensils have been excavated in Tang tombs in Xi’an, the capital of Tang Dynasty. The most wonderful pieces are collected and shown in the Shaanxi History Museum and Xi’an Museum. That is why it is named Tang tri-colored glazed pottery.

Tri-colored glazed pottery utensils of the Tang were usually rounded and full in shape in accordance with the aesthetic values of the time. The accurately proportioned human and animal figures have fluid lines, natural expressions and life-like movements. The soldier figures have strong muscles, big staring eyes and wield swords or arrows. The female figures have high hair buns and full sleeves; they stand gracefully erect, looking natural and elegant. The animal figures are mainly of horses and camels.

Tri-colored glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty was mostly produced in Xi’an, Luoyang and Yangzhou, which were important cities along the Silk Road. The camel was the major form of transport on the ancient trade route during the Tang. From these gazed potteries, we can imagine the travelers and camels making their hard journey across the desert, depending on one another for survival. The large figures and camels’ resolute expressions represent the hardships associated with traveling on the long road.

A tri-colored glazed pottery of a camel and a dance group, unearthed in a Tang general’s tomb, is exhibited in Shaanxi History Museum. The camel is brown and stands with its head raised high. The long hairs on its head, chest, stomach and upper parts of its two front legs were carefully executed. On the camel’s back is a platform covered by a rug with two ethnic musicians seated on it with their backs to each other playing instruments. A third ethnic person dances between them. The three human figures have deep eyes, high-bridged noses and full beards; they are wearing long, green sweaters with turned-down collars and white boots. The figure in the front has a deep yellow coat. This piece of pottery is truly an exquisite handicraft.

Tri-colored glazed pottery was exported to foreign countries in the early Tang, winning great favor. It was always been famed for its bright colors and pleasing shapes. Tri-colored glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty is a shining pearl among ancient Chinese pottery.

Tri-colored glazed pottery now has been developed and its varieties number several hundred. The once tri-color glaze has expanded to include yellow, purple, black and blue and its artistic quality has also improved.

Xi’an Art and Ceramic Factory is well known for producing high qualified and various kinds of Tri-colored glazed pottery utensils, including animals, twelve zodiac figures and tiles of a vast variety, all made vividly and lovely.