Octagonal vase depicting the Eight Great Immortals of Daoism

Ceramics for Daily Use, 900–1368

The Song dynasty was a time of dramatic growth in population, urbanism, commercialization, monetization, and technology. Those living in urban centers could find new forms of entertainment, a wide variety of goods to purchase, and careers and lifestyles unknown during previous dynasties. For the first time in Chinese history a genuinely urban middle class was emerging.

During the Song dynasty, dishes and vessels for household use were commonly ceramics. They were produced in abundance for use in both ordinary homes and the imperial palace; they were also increasingly made for export throughout Asia. Items in this case— cups, bowls, and containers—characteristically carry the simplicity and elegance dictated by Song-dynasty taste.