Mongol Expansion Grows Trade Leads to Production of Blue and White Porcelain
The Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) was a time of great change and upheaval in China. The Mongols, a nomadic people from Central Asia, had conquered China and established the Yuan Dynasty. The Mongol conquest led to a number of changes in China, including the opening up of new trade routes and the influx of new ideas and cultures.
The ceramic industry was one of the industries that was most affected by the Mongol conquest. The Mongols were patrons of the arts, and they encouraged the production of high-quality ceramics. They also established new trade routes that allowed Chinese ceramics to be exported to all parts of the world.
One of the most important developments in the ceramic industry during the Yuan Dynasty was the perfection of blue-and-white porcelain. Blue-and-white porcelain is decorated with a cobalt blue glaze on a white background. The cobalt blue glaze was originally imported from Persia, but the Mongols encouraged Chinese potters to develop their own sources of cobalt blue.
Yuan Dynasty potters developed new techniques for making blue-and-white porcelain. They also developed new designs that were inspired by Islamic and Mongol art. Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain is known for its bold and striking designs, as well as its high quality.
Role of Mongol Expansion on Trade and the Production of Blue and White Porcelain
The Mongol expansion played a major role in the development of the ceramic industry during the Yuan Dynasty. The Mongols established new trade routes that allowed Chinese ceramics to be exported to all parts of the world, including Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. This increased demand for Chinese ceramics led to an increase in production, and also to the development of new techniques and designs.
The Mongols also encouraged the production of blue-and-white porcelain. Blue-and-white porcelain was very popular in the Middle East, and the Mongols saw it as a way to increase trade with the region. They also encouraged Chinese potters to develop new designs for blue-and-white porcelain that would appeal to Middle Eastern buyers.
Types of Yuan Dynasty Ceramics
In addition to blue-and-white porcelain, Yuan Dynasty potters also produced a variety of other types of ceramics, including:
- Celadon: Celadon is a type of green-glazed pottery. Yuan Dynasty celadon is known for its high quality and its beautiful glaze.
- Qingbai: Qingbai is a type of white-glazed pottery. Yuan Dynasty qingbai is known for its delicate and precise craftsmanship.
- Sancai: Sancai is a type of pottery that is decorated with three colors: green, yellow, and brown. Yuan Dynasty sancai is known for its bold and striking designs.
Impact of Yuan Dynasty Ceramics
Yuan Dynasty ceramics had a significant impact on the world. They were exported to all parts of the globe, and they helped to popularize Chinese culture around the world. Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain was especially popular in the Middle East, and it had a major influence on the development of Islamic ceramics.
Yuan Dynasty ceramics also had a significant impact on the development of European porcelain. European potters were inspired by Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain, and they developed their own techniques for making blue-and-white porcelain.
Conclusion
The Yuan Dynasty was a time of great change and upheaval in China, but it was also a time of great innovation in the ceramic industry. Yuan Dynasty potters developed new techniques and designs that produced some of the most beautiful and sophisticated ceramics in Chinese history. Yuan Dynasty ceramics had a significant impact on the world, and they continue to be admired by collectors and art lovers today.