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Xue, Xiyan (2022) Shipwrecks and Qingbai Porcelain Trade during Song and Yuan Dynasties, China. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

Qingbai porcelain was a major commodity in overseas trade during the period of Song and Yuan dynasties, but the current research on export Qingbai wares is much less than that on celadon and blue and white porcelain. In recent years, considerable archaeological discoveries of shipwrecks carrying Qingbai porcelain, make it possible for a further study of export Qingbai porcelain and its maritime trade.

The Introduction introduces the research status of the Qingbai porcelain and shipwrecks. The second Chapter introduces the basic connotation of the global history theory and the re-understanding of the ocean and analyses the regional relations in marine trade and the rise of porcelain trade under the theoretical framework of global history during Song and Yuan dynasties. The third chapter discusses the overseas trade routes from the Han to the Yuan dynasties. It also analyses the reasons for the prosperity of Qingbai porcelain trade in and outside of China, which are the open trade policy of the Song and Yuan governments and the Chinese people’s aesthetic for the bluish white glaze colour. The fourth chapter firstly investigated the archaeological excavation of Qingbai porcelain on sites and the shipwreck data in and outside of China. Then analyses the trade scale and economic value of Qingbai porcelain. The last part of this chapter analyses the technology of making Qingbai porcelain, including the raw materials, factors that affecting the glaze colour and decorations. The fifth chapter works on the cultural exchanges by the exportation of the Qingbai porcelain. The first part of this chapter investigated how the Qingbai wares were used in both domestic and overseas markets. In addition to meeting the needs of daily life, Qingbai porcelain also played an important role in the local customs and religious ceremonies in different countries and regions. The second part of this chapter studies four types of customized products for the Southeast Asia: boxes, big plates and bowls, kendis, small jars and bottles. The last part is the research on how Qingbai porcelain influenced the overseas ceramic technologies. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, Islamic white pottery, Vietnamese white porcelain, white porcelain of Goryeo and ceramic manufacturing industry in Thailand and Japan were all influenced by the technology and shape of Qingbai porcelain.

The last chapter is the Conclusions, which reviews the main points of this thesis, and introduces the relationship between the disappearance of Qingbai porcelain and the rise of egg-white glazed porcelain as well as blue and white porcelain. The whole process of production, transportation, sale and consumption of Qingbai porcelain in Song and Yuan dynasties is a network across Asia and Africa, involving all countries and regions along the Maritime Silk Road. Qingbai porcelain is a microcosm of the maritime trade that not only reflects the grandeur of the whole trade network during Song and Yuan, but also carries very small and specific cultural information of different societies and groups behind the trade.

Item Type:	Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (PhD)
Supervisors:	Henderson, Julian
Keywords:	Qingbai porcelain, Qingbai ware, Chinese procelain, shipwrecks, maritime trade, Song and Yuan dynasties, cultural exchanges
Subjects:	D History - General and Old World > DS Asia N Fine Arts > NK Decorative arts. Applied arts. Decoration and ornament
Faculties/Schools:	UK Campuses > Faculty of Arts > School of Humanities
Item ID:	70077
Depositing User:	XUE, XIYAN
Date Deposited:	25 Aug 2023 14:25
Last Modified:	25 Aug 2023 14:25
URI:	https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/70077

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