SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This thesis sets out to show, by way of chronological charts, some evolutionary trends of eighteen prototypal ceramic forms that were commonly used in the Sui and T'ang periods. The objects represented in this study come primarily from dated tombs that have been excavated in China and illustrated in Chinese archaeological journals. In the analysis of the prototypal forms, emphasis will be placed on their origin, textual mentions, and possible functions. Relevant comparisons to other contemporary media will also be included. The chronology, with accompanying documentation, should provide a framework from which art historical conclusions may be drawn, and in which objects of questionable origin may be examined. In another section, some specimens recovered from Sui and T'ang kiln sites are presented in an attempt to relate the tomb excavated objects to some possible sites of production. This exercise will also yield some insight to the distribution and influence of certain forms. The thesis will conclude with an examination of the present findings to comparable studies published in Chinese. Moreover, the present findings will be examined in the light of some of the generally accepted theories regarding the ceramic art of the Sui and T'ang periods.