Explore ceramic treasures from Liao, Song, Xia, Jin

Vessels from the Northern Xia Dynasty are on display at the exhibition. Photos by Cao Zhen

The elegant Song-Dynasty (960-1279) porcelain artifacts are renowned for their simplicity of form. This era thrived with a multitude of kilns spanning the nation, each producing porcelain pieces in distinct glaze hues, decorations, and employing a variety of crafting techniques.

A ceramic vessel from the Liao Dynasty.

An aroma vessel from the Liao Dynasty.

Concurrently, the Song Dynasty coexisted with neighboring powers — the Liao Dynasty (907-1125), the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227), and the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) in the north, and porcelain pieces produced in these dynasties present unique features. A new exhibition, titled “Treasures From the Kiln: Porcelain Art of the Liao, Song, Xia, and Jin Dynasties,” is showcasing 263 ceramic and porcelain pieces or sets from these dynasties.

A visitor observes jars crafted in the Liao Dynasty.

Visitors will encounter Liao ceramics on loan from several Inner Mongolian museums. Reminiscent of Tang Dynasty (618-906) white wares and three-color glazed ceramics at the first sight, a closer inspection reveals the unique shapes and designs that set Liao ceramics apart.

Ceramic cockscomb vessels crafted in the Liao Dynasty are on display at Shenzhen Museum’s Ancient Art Division.

Given the nomadic origins of the Khitan people in the Liao Dynasty and their extensive cultural exchanges with territories extending to central and western Asia such as Persia, Arabia, and the Karakhanids, Liao ceramics boast distinctive artistic styles. Beyond imitating Tang and Song wares, Liao pottery exhibits exclusive regional attributes like chicken-leg vessels, cockscomb vessels, and phoenix-headed flasks. Some ceramics replicate saddle bags used for transporting milk or wine.

A ceramic vessel crafted in the Liao Dynasty is exhibited along with a painting featuring the Khitan people.

Adorned with intricate designs of flora, fauna, and Buddhist motifs, these wares incorporate traditional Central Chinese patterns while reflecting the customs and aesthetic preferences of the Khitan people.

Porcelain items produced in the Ru Kiln in the Song Dynasty and the Zhanggongxiang Kiln in the Jin Dynasty are on display. Both kilns are located in modern-day Henan Province.

Among the exhibition’s Song porcelain treasures are pieces from the prestigious Ru Kiln in present-day Henan Province, Central China. Adorned with a greenish-blue glaze, Ru Kiln porcelains are celebrated for its refined and intricate artistic qualities, embodying an era characterized by elegance and delicacy in artistic expression.

Visitors admire  vessels crafted in the Liao Dynasty.      

Dates: Through July 31

Booking: WeChat miniprogram “深圳博物馆”

Venue: Shenzhen Museum’s Ancient Art Division, Futian District (深圳博物馆古代艺术馆)

Metro: Line 9 to Hongling South Station (红岭南站), Exit A