“Ceramics” is a technical achievement of humanity using various natural resources such as clay minerals or rocks, successfully fired. It has a very close relationship with human history and civilization, especially the invention of porcelain in China and its splendid achievements in craftsmanship and technology, which have made significant contributions to human life and culture. A “history of ceramics” is not only a condensed history of the development of national art and science but also a true reflection of social life, cultural exchanges, and even politics and economy at that time.
Because the production of a piece of ceramic ware mainly comes from clay, feldspar, quartz, or porcelain stone, if modern conditions are used for specialization, it must go through a series of production processes such as mining selection, washing of ceramic soil, preparation of glaze materials, molding of blanks, drying and glazing, decorating with calligraphy and painting, firing in the kiln, and controlling temperature and atmospheric changes. In short, it requires the mutual coordination of geology, minerals, chemistry, physics, craftsmanship, and fine arts to create a complete, beautiful, and practical ceramic ware. For example, in the past, there was a saying among some kiln workers called “one fire, two clays, three fine works,” indicating that firing conditions, specifically the physical and chemical changes of kiln fire, are decisive factors. In other words, the temperature of firing is the boundary between “pottery” and “porcelain,” and the different kiln atmospheres are the key factors in determining glaze colors and tones.
The development of Chinese ceramic craftsmanship and painting art has been closely related since ancient times. It can be said that Chinese ceramic history and Chinese art history are of the same origin and flow, and they are also specific products of cultural and artistic activities and social life at that time. For example, in ancient times, in cultures such as the Yangshao culture, Dawenkou culture, Longshan culture, Majiayao culture, Hongshan culture in the north, and the Hemudu culture, Majiabang culture, Liangzhu culture, Daxi culture, and Qujialing culture in the south, patterns and symbols appeared on pottery such as fish, birds, frogs, pigs, clouds, sun, stars, axes, and a variety of symbolic inscriptions (some of which are very similar to the so-called “turtle text bird tracks” or “bird and beast hoof distant tracks” in ancient legends), which can be seen as the origin of Chinese characters and the beginning of painting and calligraphy art. These primitive artistic creations and technological inventions, especially the emotions and wisdom reflected in the pursuit of “beauty,” can also be seen as symbols of the common foundation of art and science, becoming an endless source of human civilization.”
