Tang Ying

CHINA, Liaoning, Shenyang; Qing dynasty

Tang Ying, also known as Jungong or Woji, was a calligrapher, painter, and porcelain artist. For over 10 years, he served as the ceramic superintendent in Jingdezhen, a town in Jiangxi historically reputed for its porcelain production. According to the Draft History of Qing, Tang understood very well the methods of making porcelain wares and had an in-depth knowledge of clay properties, glazing materials, and firing conditions. He authored two works, one of which was Illustrations of Porcelain Manufacturing, featuring detailed illustrations of the 12 methods used in making porcelain. The other work, Stele of Porcelain Achievement Chronicle, outlined the costs and labor requirements associated with porcelain art, in addition to detailing the large variety of glazing colors.
Two porcelain pieces created under his supervision, a white Statuette of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and a glazed Brush Holder inscribed with a five-character verse, are currently kept at the Tianjin Museum.