TING WARE

Pinyin Ding, Chinese glazed stoneware produced during the Sung dynasty (AD 9601279) at T'ing Chou and, after the court's transfer to the south in 1127, near Ching-te-chen. Usually white in colour, Ting ware may be either plain or decorated with incised, molded, impressed, or carved designs, among which the phoenix, the lily, and the peony were favoured. The most important types of Ting ware are pai Ting (white Ting), fen Ting (flour Ting), and t'u Ting (earthen Ting). The glaze of pai Ting is often thickened on the outside of the ware to produce what are known as teardrops. Characteristic forms include bowls, cups, and dishes. Fired upside down, many pieces, especially bowls, have an unglazed rim banded with metal.