Li Qing1, 2, Huang Sheng 1
(1. Jingdezhen Ceramic University, Jingdezhen 333403, Jiangxi, China;
2. Fujian Vocational College of Art, Fuzhou 350000, Fujian, China)
Extended abstract:
[Background and purposes] This study was aimed to focus on the trade routes and cross-cultural influence of Qingbai ware during the Song and Yuan periods. Qingbai ware, characterized by its smooth glaze and mature craftsmanship, became a key commodity in early global trade, contributing to cross-cultural exchanges. The study was attempted to challenge the "Jingdezhen-centered" theory by highlighting the dual production system of high-end Jingdezhen products and mass-market goods from southeastern coastal kilns. How these goods were not only exported but also adapted to local cultural contexts will be explored, leading to a reciprocal process of diffusion and innovation in ceramics production across regions.
[Methods] An interdisciplinary approach was employed, integrating art history, archaeology and economic history, to analyze the technological features, production systems and trade networks of Qingbai ware. Through a comparative analysis of inland and coastal kilns, how these regions interacted and shaped Qingbai ware's distribution will be examined. The dynamics of cultural adaptation, technical dissemination and the spatial patterns of Qingbai ware exports will be studied.
[Results] Dual Production Systems: Qingbai ware's export structure was marked by a dual system: Jingdezhen's kilns produced high-end goods targeting elite markets, while southeastern coastal kilns, such as those in Dehua and Chaozhou, focused on mass production for the broader Southeast Asian market. Trade Networks and Pathways: A shift in Qingbai ware's trade routes from the traditional land Silk Road to a sea-based system during the Southern Song period was identified. The maritime Silk Road, centered on ports like Quanzhou and Guangzhou, facilitated large-scale exports to regions, such as Southeast Asia, South Asia and even East Africa. The Mongol Empire's reunification of Eurasia in the Yuan period reintroduced the land Silk Road, complementing the maritime trade routes. Cultural Adaptation and Technical Exchange: Qingbai ware was adapted by local cultures through customized production, such as the creation of tea and wine vessels that met local cultural needs. This was also extended to religious contexts, where Qingbai ware was involved in both Buddhist and Islamic practices. The technical innovations in ceramics in Southeast Asia, Japan, and Persia, inspired by Qingbai ware's aesthetic and technological qualities, were highlighted.
[Conclusions] The export of Qingbai ware during the Song and Yuan periods was a complex process influenced by multi-level production networks and cross-cultural interactions. These interactions were not limited to trade but involved the adaptation and innovation of both form and function across regions. This study provided new insights into how material culture, including Qingbai ware, contributed to early globalization and facilitated the exchange of technical knowledge and aesthetic values. Additionally, it presents a historical framework for understanding the dynamics of cross-cultural exchanges and the role of material culture in global trade networks.
Key words: Song and Yuan period; Qingbai porcelain; export network; technology dissemination; cultural adaptation