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.