5. Compare two ceramics from the Tang shipwreck. Consider the following in your discussion: patrons, producers, materials, production, function, location and meanings.

Introduction:

Brief description of the Tang shipwreck off Belitung

-Cargo consisted of Changsha, Yue, Xing and Guangdong wares

-Changsha wares, majority consisting of bowls, formed the bulk of the cargo as most highly demanded Chinese ceramic export of the era

Introduce thesis

For both types of ceramic

-Relative quantities reflect dynamics of ceramic trade and popularity during the period

-Visual characteristics reflect artistic sensibilities of Buddhist and Muslim consumer market

However, they do this through different means with respect to style, methods, materials.

Two ceramics to be analysed are

1. Changsha bowl (either one with foliage or makara) or Changsha ewer with applique of sala tree in enclosure
2. Northern China (Xing) white dish with green splashes

(To be confirmed, have to visit museum. They have to be representative samples as well.)

 

Discussion outline (rough)

General structure:

Broad overview of provenance and physical characteristics of each category of wares discussed (changsha and green splash)

Close visual analysis of specific wares + comparision

Function and religious/cultural significance

1. Similarities

Buddhist and Islamic influences in both ceramics

-bowl has Buddhist influences in terms of design, content, with some Islamic compositional elements (four brown patches forming frame)/for ewer, religious significance of elements in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism (provide context)

-common Middle Eastern floral motif on Xing dish

2. Differences

Producers, style, function

-visually, Changsha ware has bold lines, harsh contrast – painted with copper pigment while Xing ware has shallow incisions

-naturalistic depiction of sala tree on ewer/ stylized, expressive, abstract strokes on bowl with lack of figurative imagery, instead more repeating geometric patterns

-simple 4 palmette foliage on Xing ware