Tang Tri-colored Glazed Pottery
Atype of glazed pottery with the dominant colors of yellow, brown and , green was very popular in the Tang Dynasty. It was later called the tri-colored glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty, or Tangsancai.
唐三彩是一种盛行于唐代的陶器，以黄、褐、绿为基本釉色，后来人们习惯地把这类陶器称为“唐三彩”。The Tang tri-colored glazed pottery is a low-melting glazed pottery. It was made by adding metallic oxides to the colored glaze and calcining the object to cre-ate different colors, namely the predominant yellow, brown and green. The chemi-cals in the glaze change gradually in the firing process, creating a variegated effect with a majestic and elegant artistic attraction. Tri-colored glazed pottery was usually used as burial loose and brittle base and its low waterproofing proper-ties meant it was not as practical as the blue and white porcelain that had already emerged at the time.
唐三彩是一种低温釉陶器，在色釉中加入不同的金属氧化物，经过焙烧，便形成浅黄、赭黄、浅绿、深绿、天蓝、褐红、茄紫等多种色彩，但多以黄、褐、绿三色为主。
Tri-colored glazed pottery utensils of the Tang were usually rounded and full in shape in accordance with the aesthetic values of the time. The accurately propor-tioned human and ardmal figures have fluid lines, natural expressions and life-like movements. The soldier figures have strong muscles, big staring eyes and wield swords or arrows. The female figures have high hair buns and full sleeves; they stand gracefully erect, looking natural and elegant. The animal figures are mainly of horses and camels.
唐三彩的色釉有浓淡变化、互相浸润、斑驳淋漓的效果。在色彩的相互辉映中，显出堂皇富丽的艺术魅力。唐三彩用于随葬，作为明器，因为它的胎质松脆，防水性能差，实用性远不如当时已经出现的青瓷和白瓷。唐三彩器物形体圆润、饱满，与唐代艺术的丰满、健美、阔硕的特征是一致的。它的种类繁多，主要有人物、动物和日常生活用具。三彩人物和动物的比例适度，形态自然，线条流畅，生动活泼。在人物俑中，武士肌肉发达，怒目圆睁，剑拔弩张；女俑则高髻广袖，亭亭立玉，悠然娴雅，十分丰满。动物以马和骆驼为多。A tri-colored glazed pottery of a camel and a dance group was unearthed in a Tang general’s tomb. The camel is brown and stands with its head raised long hairs on its head, chest, h and upper parts of its lwo front legs were carefully executed. On the camel’s back is a platform covered by a rug with two ethnic musicians seated on it with their backs to each other playing instru-ments. A third ethnic person dances between them. The three human figures have deep eyes, high-bridged noses and full beards; they are wearing long, green sweaters with turned-down collars and white boots. The figure in the front has a deep yellow coat. This piece of pottery is truly an exquisite handicraft.
在唐右卫大将军墓中出土了一件骆驼载乐俑。这匹骆驼昂首伫立，通体棕黄色，从头顶到颈部，由下颔到腹间以及两前肢上部都有下垂长毛，柔丽漂亮。驼背上架有平台并铺有毛毯。平台上左右各坐胡乐俑二人，而且是背对背而坐，正在吹打乐器，有一俑站在中央，翩翩起舞。这三个乐俑个个深目高鼻，络腮胡须，身穿绿色翻领长衣，白色毡靴，只有前面一人穿黄色通肩大衣。这件高大的驼载乐舞俑精美绝伦，令人赞叹！Tri-colored glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty was mostly produced in Xi’an,Luoyang and Yangzhou, which were important cities along the Silk Road. The cam-el was the major form of transport on the ancient trade route during the Tang,From these glazed potteries, we can imagine the travelers and camels making their hard journey across the desert, depending on one another for survival. The large figures and camels’ resolute expressions represent the hardships assoaated with traveling on the long road.
唐三彩的产地西安、洛阳、扬州是陆上和海上丝绸古道的联接点。在古丝绸之路上，唐代的交通工具主要是骆驼。可以想见，在沙漠中，人和骆驼艰难跋涉，相依为命，所以人和骆驼有一种亲密感。它那高大的形态和坚毅负重的神情，似乎还带着丝绸古道的万里风尘。Tri-colored glazed pottery is the crest of Tang pottery and it flourished during the dynastys early and middle period. As the Tang Dynasty gradually lost power and its porcelain-producing technology developed, tri-colored glazed pottery de-clined. Though tri-colored glazed pottery was also produced during the Liao and Jin dynasties, it was not made in such great quantity and its quality was not as good as that of the Tang.
唐三彩是唐代陶器中的精华，在初唐、盛唐时达到高峰。安史之乱以后，随着唐王朝的逐步衰弱，由于瓷器的迅速发展，三彩器制作逐步衰退。后来又产生了“辽三彩”、“金三彩”，但在数量、质量以及艺术性方面，都远不及唐三彩。Tri-colored glazed pottery was exported to foreign countries in the early Tang,winning great favor. It was always been famed for its bright colors and pleasing shapes. Tri-colored glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty is a shining pearl among ancient Chinese pottery.
唐三彩早在唐初就输出国外，深受异国人民的喜爱。这种多色釉的陶器以它斑斓釉彩，鲜丽明亮的光泽，优美精湛的造型著称于世，唐三彩是中国古代陶器中一颗璀璨的明珠。