By: Morgan Wu
While porcelain was invented during the Shang dynasty (1600 - 1046 BCE), it didn't gain popularity until the Three Kingdoms period (220 - 280 CE) under the Wu Kingdom (222 - 280 CE). During this time, China saw the emergence of new porcelain-making techniques and styles: a new emphasis on high firing temperatures, new glaze materials, new designs, and so forth. This especially became prominent during the Sui (518 - 618 CE) and T’ang (618 - 907 CE) dynasties, as North and South China developed their respective styles of porcelain -- the white porcelain of the North and the green celadon of the South.
With these developments, came a massive surge in its popularity. Porcelain rapidly spread across East Asia, the Islamic World, and Europe, with these countries adopting their own forms of the unique craft. China, in turn, was influenced as well. However, this success began to falter at the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 CE), due to China’s political instability. Nonetheless, porcelain’s popularity endured. From the Sung’s minimalist, classical wares to the Jin’s deeply ornate designs, the sheer beauty and utility of porcelain is undeniable.
References:
Ji, Ruoxin. Treasures from the Working of Nature: Eight Thousand Years of
Antiquities. 80th ed., Taipei, National Palace Museum, 2007.