Emperor Huizong and Official Kilns of the Song Dynasty: Exploring the Rise of Official Kilns in the Song Dynasty and Emperor Huizong’s Aesthetic Preferences

Abstract

The sources of porcelains in the Song Dynasty court were diverse. As porcelains began to play an ever-significant role for monarchs and officials, the capital established kilns for porcelain production in the late-Northern Song. Some porcelain products entered the court as items produced by government-run workshops directly under central authority. This shift was of great significance as, to some extent, the Jingdezhen imperial kiln factory of the Ming and Qing dynasties was an elevated version of the Song Dynasty’s official kilns model. During Emperor Huizong’s reign, a series of favorable conditions led to the establishment of official kilns, which also reflected the aesthetic preferences of the emperor.

Keywords

Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty / official kilns of the Song Dynasty / turning point / aesthetic preferences

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2024 Higher Education Press