China has been well-known for its porcelain since ancient times. When you come to Liaoning, you should appreciate the exquisite Liao porcelain. Liao porcelain, short for the porcelain of the Liao Dynasty, originated in northern China over 1,100 years ago. The Liao Regime was established by the northern nomadic Khitan tribes. The entire region of today’s Liaoning was once its territory. A large number of Liao porcelain treasures have been unearthed here.
Jess Lim, an international student from Malaysia, has a deep passion for Chinese porcelain. She is most attracted to the diverse and antique Liao porcelain. “When I stepped on the land of Liaoning, I was very eager to see how such exquisite Liao porcelain was made.” On a winter afternoon, Jess Lim walked into Guzitao Liao Porcelain Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop in Shenyang, immersing herself in the creation of Liao porcelain and experiencing its beauty firsthand.
Under the guidance of Gu Cuiguo, an intangible cultural heritage inheritor of Liao porcelain-making technique, Jess Lim also discovered that an amazing beauty exists in the microscopic world of Liao porcelain. Through a microscope, she saw that the Liao porcelain fragments show “starlight”, like a “dazzling starry sky”. “It’s so beautiful and magical. I can’t wait to witness the true beauty of the thousand-year-old Liao porcelain!” Jess Lim said excitedly.
Liao porcelain is the only type of Chinese porcelain named after a minority ethnic regime, reflecting regional characteristics. The Fuxin area in Liaoning was once a grazing ground for the Khitan people. On the eighth stop of Treasure Hunt Across Liaoning, we followed the international student Jess Lim into the Fuxin Museum to explore the nomadic life of the ancient Khitan people through Liao porcelain.
As soon as she walked into the Fuxin Museum, Jess Lim was attracted by several cockscomb pots in odd shapes. The cockscomb pot is the most representative vessel of Liao porcelain, used to hold water or wine. It is named after its top shape, which looks like a cockscomb. “They look quite similar to the leather bag that held water on horseback of the ancient people, but why were they made into porcelain?” Jess Lim was confused. Originally, the Khitan people had a long-term nomadic life. They had previously used leather bags to hold water and wine, but the water and wine were prone to going bad over time. Therefore, the porcelain craftsmen imitated the shape of the leather bag to fire the cockscomb pot, which is clean and beautiful, and can keep drinks fresh for a long time.
“They’re both cockscomb pots, but their shapes are very different.” Jess Lim discovered that cockscomb pots are roughly divided into a perforated type and the other type with a top handle. Perforated cockscomb pots appeared in the early and middle Liao Dynasty. Perforated by a rope, the pots are easily fixed on the back of a horse, which is more suitable for the life of the Khitan people on horseback. By the middle and late Liao Dynasty, the nomadic life of the Khitan people, characterized by following water and grass, changed into the settled agricultural life. The cockscomb pot with a top handle can be carried by hand and is suitable for household use. “I noticed that many cockscomb pots are green. The green color represents the grassland. The style of Liao porcelain really reflects the love of the Khitan people for the grassland.” Jess Lim exclaimed.
Not far away, a white-glazed phoenix-headed vase under the spotlight is exquisite and is also a very distinctive wine vessel in Liao porcelain with ethnic characteristics. Despite enduring for centuries, it remains in good condition. Besides, white glaze is relatively rare. Jess Lim stopped in front of the display case to appreciate it and took photos to share with her friends. “Look at the vase! The nose, ears, and feathers of the phoenix’s head are all remarkably true to nature. The phoenix’s eyes are bright and piercing. How skillful the craftsmen of the Liao Dynasty were!”
Liao porcelain was developed by the Khitan people absorbing the ceramic crafts of the Central Plains of China and integrating their own cultural traditions and customs. “On this treasure-hunting trip, I felt the fierce and unyielding tribal temperament of the ancient Khitan people through Liao porcelain. I was also surprised to find their appreciation for beauty and exquisite life.” Jess Lim said in pleasant surprise, “The ‘exquisite life’ of the Khitan people extends beyond porcelain. Come and visit the Fuxin Museum. The cultural relics of the Liao Dynasty here will definitely surpass your imagination.”
