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yangcai

Chinese art
Also known as: yang ts’ai

Quick Summary

The term "yangcai" in Chinese art refers to "foreign colors," a style of decoration used on porcelain, particularly during the Qing dynasty. This technique involved applying opaque enamel colors over a base of opaque enamel, usually white, which was then fired. The palette of colors used in yangcai was the same as that used for enameling porcelain, and this style was influenced by European painted enamels.1

The best period for yangcai was the 18th century, with production declining after 1796. This style was often seen as foreign in taste, and much of the Canton enamelware, a related term, was produced for export. While yangcai specifically refers to these "foreign colors" on porcelain, the broader concept of Chinese art emphasizes linearity, symbolism, and a connection to nature, with themes often reflecting moral and social functions rather than war or violence.1234

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