Tianshui kilns
Tianshui kilns (天水窑) refer to a group of ceramic production sites located around Tianshui, in present-day Gansu Province. Active primarily from the Tang period through the Five Dynasties and into the Song period, these kilns produced high-fired stonewares with dark brown, olive-brown, or muted green glazes. The wares form part of the Northwest ceramic tradition, distinct from the major northern Ding and southern celadon production systems.
Historical Context
The Tianshui region lies along routes connecting the Central Plains, the Hexi Corridor, and the cultural zones of the Tibetan Plateau. Ceramic production developed within this exchange environment, supplying local and regional needs rather than participating in imperial kiln systems. The wares reflect both local clay resources and firing technologies adapted to highland climatic conditions.
Materials and Technical Characteristics
Body: Gray or buff stoneware body, dense and high-fired, suitable for utilitarian vessel forms.
Glaze: Iron-bearing glazes fired in reduction atmospheres, producing:
- Dark brown or black surfaces
- Olive-brown or yellow-brown tones
- Occasional muted celadon-like greenish hues
Glazes may be uneven or thinly pooled, reflecting variable kiln atmospheres.
Firing: Firing was conducted in climbing (dragon-type) kilns built along slopes, achieving stoneware-level temperatures.
Form Typology
Common vessel forms include:
- Jars with thickened shoulders and short necks
- Bowls with rounded profiles
- Ewers and pouring vessels with strap handles
- Covered boxes and small containers
Forms emphasize practical storage and daily-use durability rather than refinement of profile.
Decorative Characteristics
Decoration is restrained. Techniques include:
- Horizontal incised banding near rims
- Indented or lightly combed surface textures
- Minimal applied ornament
Surface emphasis remains on glaze tone rather than constructed patterning.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Tianshui wares are significant for:
- Representing the Northwest stoneware tradition distinct from the kilns of Hebei, Henan, and Zhejiang
- Providing evidence of ceramic production in regional subsistence and local trade networks
- Demonstrating high-fired technology outside major imperial and commercial centers
They contribute to understanding of ceramic diversification in medieval China.
Related Pages
References
- Li Zhiyan et al., eds. Chinese Ceramic Kiln Sites (Zhongguo yaochang).
- Kerr, Rose. Chinese Ceramics, Victoria and Albert Museum.
- Institute of Archaeology, CASS. Archaeological Reports of Northwest Kiln Sites.
