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Doucai Porcelain from the Chenghua Reign

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A Brief History of Chinese Imperial Porcelain

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Abstract

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After experiencing a brief period of rapid development during the Xuande reign, the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen witnessed a tumultuous era marked by dynastic changes, including the transitions from Zhengtong (1436–1449), Jingtai (1450–1457), Tianshun (1457–1464), and Chenghua (1465–1464). These political vicissitudes had a profound impact on the production of imperial porcelain. It was during the Chenghua period that the famed doucai (literally, “contrasted colors”) technique emerged, reaching its zenith in the creation of exquisite palace ceramics. In the circle of ceramics, there is a saying: “Chenghua-era porcelain stands out from others of the Ming; it is true of the Yongzheng-era pieces in the Qing”. The origins of doucai porcelain in the Chenghua reign can be traced back to the trials and tribulations faced by the unfortunate Crown Prince during this era.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Translator’s Note: Emperor Yingzong (1427–1464), with his perosoanl name, Zhu Qizhen, the Chenghua Emperor’s father, ruled as the Zhengtong Emperor from 1435 to 1449, and as the Tianshun Emperor from 1457 until his death in 1464.

  2. 2.

    Houfei Zhuan 后妃传 (Biography of Imperial Consorts). In Ming Shi 明史 (History of Ming), vol. 113, Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 1974.

  3. 3.

    Xiaozong Benji 孝宗本纪 (Imperial Biography of Emperor Xiaozong of Ming). In Ming Shi 明史 (History of Ming), vol. 15.

  4. 4.

    Translator’s Note: “Yuzhang” refers to a region in Jiangxi province.

  5. 5.

    Translator’s Note: Luncha 论茶 refers to discussions that revolve around the topic of tea in Imperial China.

  6. 6.

    Translator’s Note: Jiancha 煎茶 refers to “steeping tea”, a traditional method of preparing tea in Imperial China.

  7. 7.

    Translator’s Note: Pincha 品茶 refers to “tea tasting”, the practice of savoring and evaluating different types of tea in Imperial China.

  8. 8.

    Translator’s Note: Doucha 斗茶, a tea competition or tea gathering, was an elegant pastime among the wealthy and leisurely individuals in imperial China. It involved a strong element of competition, with participants judging the quality and excellence of tea. It was characterized by its entertaining and challenging nature.

  9. 9.

    Note on “the ninth month of the sixth year of the Zhengtong reign (1441)”, Ming Yingzong Shilu 明英宗实录 (Record of the Emperor Yingzong of Ming), edition of the Institute of History and Philology, Academia of Taiwan Province, Taipei, 1962.

  10. 10.

    He, Sanwei (Ming dynasty). Yunjian Zhilue, Xian Biejia Xiyegong Zhuan 云间志略·先别驾西野公传 (Chorography of Huating, Biography of He Huan), vol. 9, edition in the Tianqi reign of the Ming (1621–1627).

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  1. Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China

    Chongnian Yan

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  1. Chongnian Yan
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Correspondence to Chongnian Yan .

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Yan, C. (2024). Doucai Porcelain from the Chenghua Reign. In: A Brief History of Chinese Imperial Porcelain. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-4145-8_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-4145-8_9

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-97-4144-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-97-4145-8

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