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UBC CoffeeProvincial Museum: Pottery and Porcelain - Part I
Few places in China seem to be without some form of pottery and porcelain tradition, and Hunan is no exception. The kilns of Changsha are of particular note. A small exhibition of the development of a wide range Evidence suggests that the Dongting lake area was an early source of pottery which was transported along the many rivers from there. Many of the exhibits of the "Ten Major Discoveries" an another exhibition hall show pottery development as well, but this exhibition shows a strictly chronological sequence, showing the increasing sophistication, from the neolithic to the etched designs of later periods and on to the red pottery of the Daxi culture and the Qujialing's rich black pottery. The rapid development of bronzeware in the Shang and Zhou periods (see separate exhibition), gave pottery techniques a boost as well. Perhaps the most endearing object here is the Eastern Han green glazed pig-sty which would have been buried with farmers and land owners.
However, there are a huge range of porcelain figurines and other celadon objects from the famous Xiangyin kiln,known as the Yue State kiln, which produced great quantities of material through the Sui and Tang Dynasties. One particular figurine, of two officials talking over a desk is one of China's great art treasures. Other major pieces include the bearded hawk-trainer and the angry man with his hands folded in defiance.
