Pottery/Porcelain

Chinese ceramics developed through a progression from pottery to porcelain. The art of pottery originated about 10,000 year ago when prehistoric man utilized it for practical purposes - as a container for carrying food and water. Later on, aesthetics became increasingly important. People began to paint patterns and add glaze onto pottery, thus transforming it into a craft. Archaeologists are often able to date and identify the cultural source of pottery items by analyzing their shapes and patterns. Porcelain, also known as "china", is more advanced than pottery and is an important invention of the Chinese. It is characterized by a fine, clear surface as well as translucency. Traditional types are mainly green, white and colored porcelain, either glazed or unglazed. Since the Tang and Song dynasties, Chinese porcelain have been exported in large quantities, thus spreading this art form to other parts of the world.