Production of Southern White Porcelain in the Tang and Five Dynasties: A Study Based on White Porcelain Unearthed in Changsha

In the history of Chinese ceramics, the phrase "Southern Green and Northern White" has often been used to summarize the ceramic production landscape during the mid-to-late Tang Dynasty. However, historical documents and archaeological evidence reveal that, despite this conventional framework, there were substantial instances of northern kilns producing celadon and southern kilns producing white porcelain. This paper was aimed to explore the production conditions of southern white porcelain during the Tang and Five Dynasties periods, with a focus on white porcelain artifacts unearthed in Changsha, and to investigate the relationship between southern white porcelain production and the transmission of northern whiteware techniques.

In this paper, historical literature was combined with archaeological data, particularly focusing on the analysis of white porcelain artifacts unearthed in the Changsha region from the Tang and Five Dynasties periods. Through comparative studies of key southern kilns such as the Fanchang and Jingdezhen kilns, the production techniques, circulation routes and the influence of northern white porcelain technology on southern production were examined.

During the Tang and Five Dynasties periods, the production of white porcelain in southern China, though geographically dispersed, was primarily concentrated in the Xu-Huai area, southern Anhui, the Changsha region and northeastern Jiangxi. These kilns were typically situated in areas with accessible water transportation and strong foundational ceramic industries, producing mainly everyday wares, such as bowls, plates, saucers and jars. The production of southern white porcelain was significantly influenced by the migration of northern populations to the south, reflecting a southward transmission of northern whiteware techniques. Furthermore, with comparative studies of the Fanchang and Jingdezhen kilns, it is suggested there is a close relationship between the emergence of Qingbai (bluish-white) porcelain and the production of white porcelain in southern China.

The production of white porcelain in southern China during the Tang and Five Dynasties periods disrupted the traditional "Southern Green and Northern White" framework, demonstrating that northern white porcelain technology spread to the south through population migration and evolved into a unique southern production system. The results of this study not only enriched our understanding of Tang Dynasty ceramic production but also provided new insights into the rise of Qingbai porcelain during the Song Dynasty.