HUANG Wei

(Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, Jingdezhen 333403, Jiangxi, China)

Abstract: Official Xuande ware with its unsurpassable height of craftsmanship in Chinese ceramic history had profound influence on the production of porcelain in later periods. As a result, official Xuande ware imitation prevailed in the ceramic industry during Ming and Qing Dynasties. This paper classifies this prevalent practice of imitation into three levels: imitation by fully copying the original, imitation by copying the original style for homage to the old masters, and imitation with creative changes to part of the original. The observation of the phenomenon at these levels is expected to clarify the role of Xuande ware in ceramic industry in Ming and Qing Dynasties and reveal the relation between antique imitation and innovation.

Key words: official Xuande ware; antique imitation; imitation Xuande ware