Sancai Glazing from the Tang Dynasty

Sancai glazing is one of the predominant features of Tang Dynasty ceramics. It is a versatile, three-toned glazing technique. It is most often comprised of green, amber, and cream glazes, with the occasional addition of cobalt blue. It can be found on objects as precious as burial tomb figures and as common as a pillow or hand warmer.

A prime example of this glaze technique is on the Bactrian camel from the Tang Dynasty.

Camel, approx. 690–750. China, Shaanxi or Henan province. Tang dynasty (618–906). Glazed earthenware. Courtesy of the Asian Art Museum, The Avery Brundage Collection, B60S95.

This camel would have been placed in a tomb for the wealthy as part of funerary rituals. Due to the toxicity of the lead glaze, it was common to find this method on objects for burial.

Another example of Sancai is on this Arhat sculpture.

Arhat (Luohan) Liao dynasty ca. 1000. Stoneware with three-color glaze

Arhats were seen as protectors of Buddhism through their highly spiritual states. These sculptures are beautifully sculpted with great detail and naturalism.

A more common object on which we see this glaze technique is this ceramic pillow.

Pillow, China, Tang dynasty, c. 675-750, glazed earthenware - Royal Ontario Museum - DSC04045.JPG

We can see in this pillow that this glaze technique allowed for clear, bright color, pattern, and lines with strong adhesion to the clay to reduce chipping or flaking.