Tricolored alms bowl in Tang Dynasty

Tang tricolor is considered a bright sparkling pearl in the history of ceramics in China, which has caught the eye balls of so many people through the ages. As a type of porcelain by using lead as the fluxing agent, Tang tricolor needs to go through the firing process for twice. The first process is biscuit firing at 1000－1100℃. After the baked plain molding bed cools down, various prepared glazes will be fed into the glazing kiln for burning, till the temperature is 850－950℃. After being baked, a variety of colors are formed, including light yellow, sienna, light green, dark green, sky blue, maroon and aubergine, etc. However, the yellow, sienna and green take up the majority. The colored glaze varies with chemicals in the process of baking, which is melted into each but with clear distinction of spots and motley. The color is diversified, natural and matches with each other perfectly. The patterns are flowing and changeable, which presents us the magnificent artistic charm. It is generally believed that Tang tricolor firing started at the year of Emperor Tang Gaozong, and peaked in the year of Kaiyuan (Tang Xuanzong) and Tianbao (713-756). No Tang tricolors after An-Shi Riot (755-763) were seen to be unearthed.
The most attractive place of Tang tricolor lies in its plump shape and magnificent color, which is like the beautiful clothing in the prime Tang Dynasty full of romance and imagination. The shape of Tang tricolor, not only in the form of sculpture, but also ware, presents the image of that particular period.
The clay mold for the proposed Tang tricolored alms bowl is beige, with plump shape. As first, use yellow glaze as the grounding color for the mouth rim to the bottom of the ware. Dotted with yellow, green and white as well as after the glaze is melted, the ware is clothed with gorgeous glaze, natural and flowing. The purity at the exposed clay mold contrasts strikingly with the gorgeous Tang tricolor, which makes it more worthy of being viewed as the ceramic art. The shape is plump, which reveals the strong atmosphere of prime Tang Dynasty.
Viewed from these, the artworks of Tang tricolor, not only the large sculpture, but also the small wares, all have the feature of “the child is father of the man” It is elaborative but encouraging, simple but changeable, which presents us the amorous feelings of Great Tang Dynasty, distinguished and magnificent.