page_title: Xing ware
section_title: Production
hierarchical_section_title: Xing ware / Production
caption_attribution_description: English: White-glazed Zhuzi (ewer) with upright lotus design by Xing Kiln. Decorated with an innovative design of six lotus petals. Five Dynasties.
context_page_description: Xing ware or Xingyao is a type of Chinese ceramics produced in the Hebei province, most notably during the Tang dynasty. Xing ware typically has a white body covered with a clear glaze. It was named after Xingzhou in southern Hebei where it was made; kilns sites have been identified in Neiqiu County as well as in Lincheng although Lincheng was not part of Xingzhou during the Tang dynasty. Some Xing wares were fired at a high enough temperature to be considered porcelain by Western definition, and some therefore regarded Xing ware to be the world's first true porcelain. Xing ware was produced from the Northern Qi to the Song dynasty, and its production reached it peak during the Tang dynasty. It was supplanted by Ding ware during the Song dynasty
context_section_description: The white body of Xing ware may be thinly potted, and fine enough to not require the application of a slip to hide any imperfection or coarseness. The coarser type of Xing ware, however, may have a layer of white slip.  The body is usually covered with a thin colourless glaze. The Xing kilns were fired with wood rather than coal, and glazes of Xing ware often has a bluish tinge. The glaze contained magnesium oxide and phosphorus pentoxide, which reduce glaze dripping and cracking and giving it a whiter and smoother appearance. Saggars were used to protect the wares during firing. The pieces were fired at a temperature high enough to approach that required for the production of porcelain, although Xing wares are often not quite vitrified enough to produce the glassy or translucent appearance of true porcelain and may be considered stoneware by Western definition, but some pieces may be considered true porcelain. This distinction between stoneware and porcelain however is not made in China and it is therefore considered porcelain in Chinese terms. Xing ware is primarily white, although some early pieces with green glaze, and other later pieces with yellow or black glazes as well as sancai have been found.
caption: a pot with lotus flower design, Five Dynasties period
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