Yingqing Ware
Yingqing, which may be translated as "shadowy blue", is the modern name given to a utilitarian ceramic introduced into China by the Mongols during the Song dynasty (960 to 1279). Historically called Qingbai (bluish white) ware, it was very thin translucent porcelain made by combining kaolin clay with finely ground porcelain stone. The kaolin provided a true white color for the ware and minimized shrinkage. Although the imperial court was the major consumer of ceramics in the Song dynasty, Yingqing ware was made for the use of the people.The production of yingqing porcelain was centered in Jingdezhen, a town in the province of Jiangxi in southeast China and a region known for its kaolin deposits. These craftsmen produced great quantities of Yingqing porcelain during the 10th through 13th centuries. Common as it was in its time, its every day utilitarian usage has resulted in only rare examples surviving to the present day.
Yingqing porcelain was made into the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1655) period, but beginning in the 14th century the potters of Jiangxi began to add more kaolin to their clays producing a stronger ceramic called luanbai (eggshell white) ware because of its opaque glaze. This production did not last long, but it did introduce a period of great experimentation with differing clays and glazes to create the exceptional ceramics for which the Ming Dynasty is known.
Reference note by p4A editorial staff. December 2011.