Purple pottery: The essence of Yunnan’s literati lifestyle

If you ever have a chance to stroll in the street of Jianshui old town, you would likely be fascinated by hundreds of purple pottery workshops. Pots, vases, tea cups, ink boxes and even brush pen holders made of mud and clay can be found here without difficulty.

Jianshui County, located in southeast Yunnan's Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, takes a special role in the history of  the province. Jianshui used to be a key marketplace where innumerable merchants congregated, and also a center of education which can still be glimpsed from the awe-inspiring 700-year-old Confucius Temple that erects in the town.

 Ancient Chinese scholar-officials, also known as literati, were always fond of exquisite pottery wares. And tea ports made of purple clays combined with other colors of mud, such as yellow, red, white and black were among their favorites. Various types of purple pottery wares in the mansions of wealthy officials, together with the soup, wine or tea they contained, formed the essence of Yunnan’s literati lifestyle.

With an increasing number of pottery artists gathering in Jianshui recently, the hand-made pottery artifacts of Yunnan are about to expect a new boom.

Purple pottery: The essence of Yunnans literati lifestyle

If you ever have a chance to stroll in the street of Jianshui old town, you would likely be fascinated by hundreds of purple pottery workshops. Pots, vases, tea cups, ink boxes and even brush pen holders made of mud and clay can be found here without difficulty. Jianshui County, located in southeast Yunnans Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, takes a special role in the history of the province. Jianshui used to be a key marketplace where innumerable merchants congregated, and also a center of education which can still be glimpsed from the awe-inspiring 700-year-old Confucius Temple that erects in the town. Ancient Chinese scholar-officials, also known as literati, were always fond of exquisite pottery wares. And tea ports made of purple clays combined with other colors of mud, such as yellow, red, white and black were among their favorites. Various types of purple pottery wares in the mansions of wealthy officials, together with the soup, wine or tea they contained, formed the essence of Yunnans literati lifestyle. With an increasing number of pottery artists gathering in Jianshui recently, the hand-made pottery artifacts of Yunnan are about to expect a new boom.