I-Hsing Ware
宜兴紫砂

The sixty objects in this exhibition, dating from the late sixteenth century to the end of the nineteenth century, came from Yixing (I-Hsing), the famous pottery center in China’s Jiangsu Province. Yixing ware, especially its teaware, is highly prized by the Chinese for its natural clay colors, simplicity of design, and elegance of execution. This exhibition featured top quality pieces that are particularly associated with scholars and artists. Treasured Yixing wares are produced in small quantities today and are rarely found outside China. Paintings and calligraphies by famous artists with a connection to Yixing wares were also in the exhibition, including works by Shen Zhou (1427–1509), Dong Qichang (1555–1636), Chen Jiru (1558–1639), Huang Shen (1687–1768), Zheng Xie (1693–1765), Qian Du (1763–1844), and Chen Hongshou (1768–1822). These artists influenced Yixing potters, and in some cases even collaborated with them to produce Yixing ware. Some artists made ceramics as a hobby.