In the Imperial Palace in Beijing, also known as the Forbidden City (Gugong), the design and ordering of Imperial porcelain were overseen by the Emperor's court, specifically by the Imperial Household Department (内务府, Nèiwùfǔ). This department was responsible for managing the day-to-day affairs of the Imperial household, including the production and procurement of luxury items such as porcelain.
The actual design work was often done by skilled artisans and craftsmen in the Imperial Kilns (御窑, Yùyáo) located in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province. Jingdezhen was renowned for its high-quality porcelain production and had a long-standing relationship with the Imperial court. The designs were approved by the court, and the finished products were then transported to Beijing.
In the Forbidden City, the porcelain was stored and managed by the Department of Works (工部, Gōngbù), which was responsible for the maintenance of the palace and its supplies, including ceremonial objects and gifts. The porcelain used for temple sacrificial purposes, gifts to mandarins, and tribute gifts were carefully cataloged and preserved.
Today, the remaining pieces of Imperial porcelain are kept in the Palace Museum (故宫博物院, Gùgōng Bówùyuàn), located within the Forbidden City. The museum holds a vast collection of Chinese art and artifacts, including a significant number of porcelain items that were used by the Imperial family and the court. These pieces are displayed in various exhibition halls within the museum, providing a glimpse into the rich cultural and artistic heritage of China's Imperial past.
During the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties, the design and production of imperial porcelain were centered in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province. Jingdezhen was the primary site for porcelain production for the imperial court due to its high-quality kaolin clay and skilled artisans.
In the Ming dynasty, the designs for imperial porcelain were often created by artisans and craftsmen in Jingdezhen. The designs were then sent to the imperial court for approval. The Xuande (1426-1435) and Chenghua (1465-1487) periods are particularly noted for their high-quality porcelain. During these periods, there was a significant exchange of ideas between the court and the artisans in Jingdezhen, with designs reflecting the tastes and preferences of the reigning emperor.
In the Qing dynasty, particularly during the reigns of Kangxi (1662-1722), Yongzheng (1723-1735), and Qianlong (1736-1795), the production of imperial porcelain reached new heights. The designs during this period became more elaborate and refined, reflecting the changing tastes of the emperors. Most of what I remember reading and being told suggests that much of the porcelain was designed in Beijing and simply ordered from Jingdezhen. We still have several of these design lists, while other sources describe how brilliant supervisors like Lang Tingji and Tang Ying at the Imperial porcelain factory created new wares. My sources are somewhat contradictory, so I am not sure. Jingdezhen was renowned for its high-quality porcelain production and had a long-standing relationship with the Imperial court so maybe there were some back and forth exchange of models and ideas.
There was indeed an imperial porcelain workshop within the Forbidden City, which was responsible for producing and decorating highly exclusive items. This workshop, known as the "Zaobanchu" (造办处), played a crucial role in designing unique shapes and decorations tailored to the specific needs of the emperor. The Zaobanchu was particularly important for creating items used in court ceremonies and daily life, as well as special commissions requested by the emperor. During in particular the Kangxi period the imperial workshops became a melting pot of the East and the West: New technologies were introduced by European missionaries, while home-grown artisans were motivated to develop new combinations of color and motif.
The style of imperial porcelain did change significantly with different emperors, reflecting their personal tastes and the cultural influences of their reigns. For example:
The changes in style and taste were also influenced by political, cultural, and technological developments. Each emperor's preferences were communicated to the craftsmen in Jingdezhen and the Zaobanchu workshop, resulting in distinct styles that are now associated with their respective reigns.
Today, many of these exquisite porcelain pieces are preserved in the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City. They offer a window into the artistic and cultural evolution of the Ming and Qing dynasties, showcasing the remarkable skill of the artisans and the refined tastes of the emperors.
See also: Nianhao, and Imperial workshops
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