Chinese pots

Pots evolved from ancient wares with large bellies and narrow pouring holes, most of which were used for holding water or liquid food.

Today’s pots are water vessels with handles, spouts, pouring holes, large bellies and lids. Many are similar to Gui, an ancient bird-shaped pitcher with three legs.

Early pots were used as containers for wine, later replacing some wine vessels such as You and Gu. However, pots in that time were much like bottles

The eagle head-shaped porcelain pots, goose head-shaped black glazed pots and sheep head-shaped blue glazed pots were classical styles of the Jin Dynasty (AD 265-420). But without actual functions, the animal-head spouts were just decorations.

The pots of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) were similar to modern pots; however, they just served as a vessel to boil tea. The space between the handle and the body of the pot was very narrow, which only allowed a person to use two fingers to hold the handle.

After the Five Dynasties period (AD 907-960), the most obvious change in pots was that the spouts became much longer.

The pots of the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279) were used for holding water, brewing tea and serving wine.

After the Song Dynasty, northern nomads traveled to China’s central plains to set up their own kingdoms, and their living habits were gradually influenced by the people of the plains. For example, delicate porcelain pots gradually replaced the water skins that once used by the northern nomadic people. However, some nomadic elements remained. The colors of the glazes used to decorate the pots still imitated leather and the figures on the pots blended the nomadic style with the central plains culture.

Influenced by the Persian culture, blue and white porcelain pots came into being during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1271-1368) The Han people had difficulty accepting this development, since they traditionally thought that red was an auspicious color while blue and white were regarded as unlucky colors in ancient China. With the passage of the time, people’s thoughts gradually changed, and blue and white porcelain pots were viewed as a symbol of elegance.