Tang Ying

Tang Ying (; 1682–1756) was a Qing dynasty writer, playwright and ceramist. He was the Superintendent of the Imperial porcelain works in Jingdezhen where he served over a period of twenty-eight years under two emperors. His tenure at the Imperial kilns was noted for some of the finest porcelain produced during the Qing dynasty, and the porcelain produced under his supervision is known as Tangyao (唐窯) or Tang ware. He also wrote a number of books on porcelain, as well as 17 plays for kunqu-style regional operas.

Early life Tang Ying was born on the 5th day of the 5th month in the 21st year of Kangxi reign (1682) in Fengtian (奉天) in today's Shenyang, Liaoning. His great-grandfather Tang Yingzu was a bondservant leader serving in the Plain White Banner of the Han army, therefore he was technically born a bondservant, but he is normally described as a Han Bannerman in Chinese biographies.

Tang was the only superintendent who had a close understanding of the potting process, and played a significant role in the development of ceramics production in Jingdezhen. Under Tang's supervision, the quality of the Jingdezhen improved and some of the finest porcelain produced during the Qing dynasty were made during his tenure. He was able to communicate effectively what the Emperor wanted to the workmen to produce the ware required, and his writings on porcelain provided invaluable information on the production of Jingdezhen porcelain in this period. He also personally made porcelain pieces signed with his various names.

Tang Ying introduced a number of innovations during his tenure at Jingdezhen, such as new colours (for example different shades of purple and blue) and glazes, and introduced new designs and techniques (e.g. silvering and painting in ink black).

Porcelain pieces produced for two Qing emperors under Tang Ying's supervision are highly regarded, and their quality is considered unmatched before or during his time. although it was later sold for US$35 million after the original buyer disputed the auctioneer's fees. Another was sold for US$19 million in 2018, while a smaller piece from 1742 sold for US$9 million in 2020. These yangcai vases have a reticulated form with double walls, an innovation introduced by Tang Ying in the early 1740s. These vases were technically difficult and expensive to produce and Tang Ying presented nine such single vases to Qianlong.

Tang also served for a short period (1750–51) in Canton in the Maritime Customs Service. He returned to Jingdezhen, but retired in 1756 and died shortly afterwards on the 27th day of the 7th month the same year. Although his successor was able to maintain some standard at Jingdezhen, the quality of porcelain produced declined, and after the reign Qianlong, the quality of porcelain produced in Jingdezhen deteriorated.

Theatre Tang Ying became interested in the local popular theatre. He was unusual in seeking inspiration from local theatre for his plays, and more than half of the plays he wrote feature content derived from popular local theatre. The plays he wrote are eclectic, where Kunqu opera melodies are mixed with local ones. He wrote 17 operas, among the best-known are Crossroad at the Slope and Laughter in a Flour Barrel . Crossroad at the Slope is a single-act play derived from the local bangzi opera (折子戲), and features a story from the Water Margin. Other books on pottery include Record of Pottery Production (陶成紀事), A Summary of the Pottery Business (陶務敘略), and Draughts of Instructions on the Manufacture of Porcelain (瓷務事宜諭稿).

Tang also wrote poetry and excelled at calligraphy and paintings. His poetry is collected in Collections of Songs during the Reign of Kangxi and in Potters Thoughts (陶人心语). His calligraphy and paintings are kept among the Palace Museum collection.

Gallery