Tianqi porcelain

Generally speaking, Tianqi porcelain was one variety of porcelain among various styles of the Jingdezhen unofficial kilns from the time of production breakdown of the official kilns at the death of the Wanli Emperor in 1620 to a time of reorganization in 1683 during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor during the Qing dynasty.

The influence of the master landscape artist Dong Qichang (董其昌; 1555–1636) can be discerned in the use of a dark and light color contrast.

Designs for this ware are usually landscapes, birds and flowers, animals, and human figures.

Many examples of the ware were treasured in Japan as part of the tea ceremony culture.

Many examples of this ware show an unmistakable Japanese influence and it is thought that they were especially ordered from Japan by period tea masters.