Warring State
China - Warring State
With the relocation of the capital to Loyang, we began to see more innovative styles of pottery emerge in the Eastern Chou Periods. There were over five centuries which separated the creation of the Chou Dynasty, the moving of the capital eastward, and the demise of the Eastern Chou Culture with the overthrow of the Ch’in. Thus, the Eastern Chou is conventionally looked at as having lasted only 48 years, from 770-722 BC, after which the periods from 721-481BC were called the Spring & Autumn Period, and the period from 480-249 BC by the name, Warring States Period.
The military environment of these times forced each Dynasty’s leader to develop greater independence, increase their States productivity, and develop their military power. During these periods, China’s philosophical, commercial, and technological development increased at a rapid rate. Chinese ceramics also entered a new stage of development as well.
During the late Eastern Chou, Spring & Autumn, and Warring States Periods, discoveries show that these artifacts not only display innovations in terms of form and decoration, but also represent important breakthroughs in their technique and manufacture. There were huge differences created in not only the kiln structure, but the temperatures they were able to produce as well. In addition to the Green ware, excavations also showed pieces of gray painted ware and incised black ware as well. During the Warring States Period, we begin to see an advance from simple incised and impressed designs to fine geometric patterns.
Although the Ch’in Dynasty was short lived, it’s unique governmental overview, its struggles militaristically, and its sense of order created some great architecture. The finding in the Imperial Tombs of the terracotta warriors shows the magnificence of the quality and the technological state of Chinese ceramic art in the Spring & Autumn and Warring States Periods.
With the downfall of the Ch’in Dynasty came the scattering of 10’s of 1,000’s of artists throughout the Chinese countryside. With each of these artisans settling in so many different locations, so came the regional development of many styles of art and craftsmanship. This is why we see so much geographical development of pottery during the Han Dynasty.