YING-CH'ING WARE

Pinyin Yingqing, type of refined, thinly potted Chinese porcelain produced at Ching-te-chen, Kiangsi province, and in Hopeh province primarily during the Sung dynasty (9601279), although it is likely that production began in the T'ang dynasty (618907) and continued into the Ming dynasty (13681644). Authentic surviving examples appear to be from Sung and Yan (12791368) times. Ying-ch'ing (shadowy blue) ware is distinctive for its light buff-to-white, usually translucent, body covered with a white glaze that is tinged with a pale blue (ch'ing pai) ranging in tone from bluish gray to bluish green. Sung wares are often decorated with finely carved or incised floral and animal motifs. Lightly molded relief is also found; however, it is more usual on Yan wares. Typical are vase forms, including the mei p'ing style; ewers, often multilobed; conical bowls, some of which have copperbound rims; and stem cups. A certain amount of ying-ch'ing ware was exported. Forgeries are common.