Tang Tri-color Pottery

Tang Tri-color Pottery

　　The Tang Dynasty was the pinnacle of China's feudal society, marked by economic prosperity and flourishing culture and arts. Tang Tri-color Pottery is a type of colored pottery craft that emerged during this period. It is renowned for its vivid and lifelike shapes, vibrant colors, and strong sense of daily life.

　　Artisans and craftsmen in Xi'an, making use of the area’s exceptional resources, conducted extensive research on unearthed Tang Tri-color Pottery artifacts and carried out repeated experiments. They successfully replicated a variety of tri-color figurines and vessels. These reproductions are exquisitely shaped, vividly crafted, and brightly glazed, radiating the artistic charm of Tang Tri-color Pottery. In particular, replicas such as “Divine Steed” and “Camel of Light,” which depict iconic themes of the prosperous Tang era and carry symbolic meaning of the Silk Road, have garnered praise from both domestic and international tourists. They are now exported to over 40 countries and regions.

　　The production of Tang Tri-color Pottery has a history of more than 1,300 years. It incorporates elements of Chinese painting and sculpture, utilizing decorative patterns such as raised relief and incised carving with bold and powerful lines. The main technique involves applying colored glazes onto pottery blanks, which then undergo chemical changes during firing. The glazes flow naturally and blend with one another, resulting in harmonious colors and smooth patterns. It is a traditional craft with uniquely Chinese characteristics.

　　Most of the Tang Tri-color pottery seen today originates from the height of the Tang Dynasty. The large quantities produced and the high level of craftsmanship represent the peak of Tang Tri-color pottery making. However, from the late Tang period onward, its production gradually declined. Broadly speaking, Tang Tri-color pottery can be divided into two main categories: vessels and figurines. Vessels include pots, jars, bowls, cups, and various architectural models, while figurines depict officials, warriors, heavenly kings, guardian deities, entertainers, servants, horses, cattle, donkeys, camels, birds, and beasts. Among these, the shapes and colors of horses, camels, and human figures are especially refined. With diverse themes, rich content, vivid imagery, and an ancient yet robust style, Tang Tri-color pottery boasts a high level of artistic achievement.

　　The production process of Tang Tri-color pottery is highly complex. First, mined clay is selected, pounded, washed, settled, and dried before being molded into shapes and fired in kilns. The firing technique used for Tang Tri-color pottery is known as the “double firing method.” In terms of materials, the body of the pottery is made from white clay and is initially fired at 1000–1100 degrees Celsius in a kiln without glaze (this is called “bisque firing”). After cooling, various prepared glazes are applied, and the piece is fired again at 850–950 degrees Celsius. The colors are derived from various metal oxides used as colorants, which produce different hues after firing.

　　After glaze firing, some figurines require additional detailing, particularly the face. This process, known as “opening the face,” involves painting the eyebrows, lips, and hair on the heads of unpainted figurines, as is typical for antique-style products. Once this step is completed, the Tang Tri-color pottery piece is finished.

　　The characteristics of Tang Tri-color pottery can be summarized in two aspects. First is its shape. The forms of Tang Tri-color pottery differ from those of general crafts and from the horses unearthed from other dynasties. The sculptures tend to have a plump build—reportedly modeled after horses gifted from the Western Regions at the time—so their shapes differ somewhat from those of horses we see today. The horses’ rumps are full, and their necks are broad. The design of Tang horses emphasizes stillness but also conveys a sense of underlying movement. For instance, a horse may appear to be standing still, but through detailed carving—such as triangular, wide-open eyes and ears pressed back as if listening intently—it reveals the inner vitality and rhythm of the Tang horse.

　　Another key feature of Tang Tri-color pottery is its glaze colors. The simultaneous use of red, green, and white glazes on a single object was an innovation of the Tang Dynasty. Craftsmen skillfully applied these colors in alternating patterns, and when fired at high temperatures, the glazes melted and flowed into each other, creating a unique flowing effect. Upon emerging from the kiln, the tri-color pottery displayed a rich array of hues, including primary, secondary, and mixed colors, resulting in a vibrant and mottled appearance. This is a defining characteristic of Tang Tri-color glaze work.