LIU Lejun, WANG Xinrong
(Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, Jingdezhen 333403, Jiangxi, China)

Abstract: The design of the "railings" in the ancient courtyard building is an indispensable part. It has not only an important function, but also has a high esthetic value and humanistic concern. The ingenious unity of the content and form of the courtyard building embodies the spirit of Chinese traditional culture. Courtyard "railings" have been long in existence in ancient Chinese paintings. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, they become more varied in the prevalent woodcut printmaking. During the period of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty,the richest composition on Wucai porcelain reflects the beauty of "railing" design. The practical function, exquisite pattern and clever space division gives a crowning touch to ancient painted porcelain. This paper discusses shapes and layouts of railings in paintings, especially woodcut printmaking works in Ming and Qing dynasties to reveal their inheriting relations. It also explores the colorful representations of the beauty of "railing” design on Wucai porcelain and analyzes the effects of different shapes and layouts of railings on its whole composition.

Key words: Wucai porcelain; railing; shape; layout