Doucai ware
Doucai ware (斗彩), literally “joined colors” or “contending colors,” refers to porcelain decoration in which underglaze cobalt blue outlines are combined with overglaze enamel colors, with the two layers visually integrated into a unified design. The technique developed in the Ming dynasty, particularly under the Chenghua reign (1465–1487), and continued into the Qing period with variations in palette and motif structure.
Historical Context
Early examples of Doucai emerged at Jingdezhen during the mid-Ming period. The Chenghua period is regarded as the exemplary phase, during which the technique achieved refined proportional balance, thin bodies, and subtle pictorial composition. Later Ming periods continued production at larger scale, and the Qing dynasty revived and expanded Doucai within imperial workshop systems, particularly under Yongzheng (1723–1735) and Qianlong (1736–1795).
Doucai differs from Wucai in its underlying structural logic: the underglaze blue outlines serve as the primary framework of the composition, with enamel colors filling enclosed spaces.
Technical Characteristics
Doucai is executed in two firings:
1. First Firing (High Temperature):
* Underglaze cobalt blue lines are painted directly on the porcelain body. * A transparent glaze is applied. * The vessel is fired at high temperature, producing a stable porcelain surface.
2. Second Firing (Lower Temperature):
* Overglaze enamels—typically red, green, yellow, and aubergine—are applied. * The vessel is refired at a lower temperature to fuse the enamel layer.
This two-stage process distinguishes Doucai from both underglaze-only and overglaze-only decorative systems.
Decorative Structure
The underglaze blue defines:
- Contours
- Partitioning lines
- Motif borders
- Compositional rhythm
The overglaze enamels fill areas within the outline:
- Producing blocks of stable color
- Maintaining clarity between chromatic zones
The palette is **precisely separated**, not blended or layered.
Motifs
Common motifs include:
- Floral clusters (lotus, peony, chrysanthemum)
- Lingzhi and vegetal scrolls
- Children at play (童子戏图)
- Auspicious symbols, animals, and narrative vignettes in Qing examples
Chenghua-period bowls with chicken motifs (“Chenghua chicken cups”) are among the most documented and studied examples of Doucai.
Forms
Frequently encountered forms include:
- Small bowls of thin, controlled profile
- Dishes with gently rising cavettos
- Meiping and pear-shaped vases
- Lidded boxes
- Scholar’s desk objects in the Qing revival period
Cultural and Historical Significance
Doucai is significant for:
- Establishing a systematic integration of underglaze and overglaze techniques
- Representing the culmination of proportion, line clarity, and subtle polychrome planning in Chenghua porcelain
- Providing a foundational precedent for later enamel systems including Falangcai, Yangcai, and Famille Rose
In museum classification, Doucai serves as an important diagnostic category for differentiating Ming and Qing imperial wares.
Related Pages
References
- Kerr, Rose. Chinese Ceramics. Victoria and Albert Museum.
- Li Zhiyan et al., eds. Zhongguo gu ci (Chinese Antique Porcelain).
- Medley, Margaret. The Chinese Potter: A Practical History of Chinese Ceramics.
