The History Of Shaanxi Pottery Figurines Of The Various Dynasties Article

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The History of Shaanxi Pottery Figurines of The Various Dynasties

Information on the pottery figurines of different dynasties in Shaanxi, China.

Author: Eric From China Connection Tours

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The pottery figure was one kind of ancient burial objects used to substitute the institution of burying man and animal alive with the dead. It originated from the late Spring and Autumn Period, prevailed during the Qin, Han, Sui and Tang Dynasties and has died out since the Ming Dynasty．Shaanxi was the seat of ancient capitals for a long time, so there are lots of pottery figures excavated form the tombs of the various dynasties. This is rarely seen in the whole country so far as the great number, the wide range of subjects，the rich content and long succession of generations are concerned. Most of the pottery figures were made after the people and events of that time so that they are closely related with the personal image, carriage and clothing institutions, sculpture art and spirit of the day, providing precious materials for the study of ancient civilization of our country today.

There are more than 300 pieces of cultural relics on display this time, which are select pottery figures excavated in various parts of Shaanxi Province since 1950s. They may accompany our visitors through the course of progress of Chinese ancient pottery sculptures.

FULL POWER AND GRANDEUR

The Qin Dynasty is the first unified centralized state. Its institutions set an example for the successive dynasties and it has also gained important achievements in culture and art. The terra-cotta warriors and horses are the acme of attainments of pottery sculptures before the Christian era. The huge battle formation of the imposing clay figures shook the whole world once they were excavated, and has been praised as one of the great wonders of the world.

The terra-cotta warriors and horses of the Qin Dynasty are stalwart and rigorous, imitating the real men’s figure, posture, dress and other details, providing ample historical information．They bring before our eyes again the military power of Qin Shi-huang, who unified the whole country. These figures show realistic characteristics and various techniques, laying the foundation for the later Chinese sculpture.

SIMPLE AND UNSOPHISTICATED OUALITY

With the social-economic development in the Han Dynasty, elaborate funeral prevailed and the pottery figures reached a prosperous stage. They cover a wide range of subjects, involve various sides of social life. The modeling is mostly simple and vivid, embodying the vitality and charm of the Chinese traditional culture that has basically come into shape since the Han Dynasty.

The Hart pottery figures are mostly made by molds, but owing to the dexterous craftsmanship, most of the works give prominence to spiritual features of the figures. Just like frescoes and stone paintings of the Han Dynasty, they are all rare and true artistic treasures.

SIMPLE AND ELEGANT BEARlNG

The Wei, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties witnessed frequent wars disturbances, and registered a period of great fusion of nationalities. The various cultural exchanges add new content to the social lire，which is shown in the pottery craftsmanship, embody the epochal features and national characteristics. As to the modeling, some of the pottery figures are natural and unrestrained, some resolute and intrepid. They wear Hart or Hun dresses and all display the spirit of the time through their simple and plain style.

DUGNFIED DEPORTMENT, GRACEFUL POSTURE

The Chinese feudal society reached the height of power and splendor during the Sui and Tang Dynasties which brought about a glorious era to the pottery craft. The technological level improved greatly. The appearance of the tri-colored pottery gave gorgeous colors to the pottery figures, and the stone figures also made marked achievements.

Before the early Tang Dynasty, the pottery figures had handsome appearance and slender stature. In the prosperous Tang Dynasty, figures, whether eunuchs, beautiful ladies, stout warriors, Heavenly Gods, businessmen, caravans, foreigners, singers or dancers are life-like, reflecting vigorous spiritual features.

The Tang pottery craft marks the influence of the Western art as a result of the wide-spreadly exchange with foreigners，singers or the same time, exerts far-reaching influences on peripheral cultures, showing its exuberant vitality.

CRYSTALLIZATION OF THE GREY COLOR

Shaanxi was no longer the national capital in the Song and Yuan Dynasties. As the funerary custom began to change, owing to the emergence of pottery figures thus came to an end.

Pottery figures of the Song and Yuan Dynasties cannot be compared with the past either in number, but there are still a few fine products. They are made on the base of dark gray roughcast without glaze, and their simple, elegant, delicate, multifarious and novel modeling reflect the custom and epochal features of the time.

BRIGHT AFTERGLOW

The Ming Dynasty witnessed the decline and disappearance of Chinese ancient pottery craft. There are very few pottery figures excavated from the tombs of the populace. But there are still groups of pottery guards of honor and pottery maids unearthed from the tombs of the aristocrats. The batch of painted pottery figures excavated in Chang’an County are bright-colored and neatly-modeled, with minute distinctive molding of the characters, providing precious substantial materials for the Study of the Ming society.

THE MONGOLS AND MARCO POLO

In 1 279, a foreign people ruled China. These were the Mongols. Find the 1and of the Mongols on the map on page 295. The Mongols were nomadic herders and hunters. They were also a warlike people who quarreled among themselves. In the 1200s they were united by a leader.

The Mongol leader was Genghis Khan. He conquered Persia, Arabia, Turkestan, Russia, Hungary, Germany and Korea. Genghis began the conquest of China, but it was completed by his grandson.

The Mongols first defeated northern China, destroying cities and murdering millions of people. Then they defeated the people in southern China.

The Mongols ruled China for almost a hundred years. Their rulers became interested in Chinese affairs. They supported learning, religion and the arts. They built a beautiful capital and encouraged trade and business. They hired many foreigners to work in the government. One of them was an Italian traveler named Marco Polo.

Marco Polo studied Chinese and Mongolian customs for l 7 years. Then he returned to Italy and recorded his impressions. For centuries, his impressions were practically the only knowledge Europe had about China.

Marco Polo was impressed by the Mongol court. He did not see the weaknesses in its rule. The Mongols had murdered many Chinese and were hated by the Chinese people. The foreigners hired by the Mongols to work in the government often cheated the Chinese and treated them harshly. China became a troubled land. Instead of working to solve the problems, the Mongols neglected China.

What do you think happens when historians have only one source of information? Do you think Europe’s idea of China was completely accurate?

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China Connection Tours, an excellent China tour operator , has over twenty-years of experience in tour operating and specializes in custom China tours for individuals and groups; offers more than 300 China tour packages: Classical China tours, Yangtze tours, Yunnan tours, Xian tours , Silk Road tours

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The History of Shaanxi Pottery Figurines of The Various Dynasties