Colored pottery, a low-temperature glazed soft pottery, is names as “jiao-zhi”,
“jiao-zhi doll”, “jiao-zhi zi”. There are many statues in temples that are made
by colored pottery, and “doll” in Taiwanese that means “figures”. In the early
stage, the colored potteries were mostly employed as decoration by temple architecture,
now they have gradually become art works of the civilian collection.
The sculptures of colored potteries mainly focus on mystery or legendary stories
or historical literature; the former is mainly used for blessing, while the
latter is used as education or cultivation. The traditional creation theme
surrounds “human”, matching with other animals or plants, the master and subordinates
are clearly to be identified, and each figure get along well. The colored potteries
are mainly set up at the higher position of the temple, positions such as wall
block (waist block, body block, windmill block, skirt block), ridge, side ridge,
ruling belt, gable, bird step, palace steps, surfacing wall, etc.
The feature of colored pottery is of its glazed painting, which is sparkling
and translucent; thereof, it has gradually become a living room appreciation
rather than being appreciated in the temple. Chaiyi is the hometown of colored
pottery, Japanese even called it “Chiayi burning”. All artisans have learned
this skill in Chiayi. Yeh Wang's works have ever participated to the worldwide
exhibition, whose skills amazed many people from all over the world. His works
can be called as “national treasures”.
The first generation of mater, Yeh Wang, with another name of Linchi, who was
born in Damao of Chiayi in 1826, where is the Mingxiong county of today. Father,
Chinyu Yeh, who was born in Pingho county, Chungcho of Funkiang, immigrating
to Mingxiong Taiwan later on. Yeh Wang was his second son, the family moved to
Matou of Tainan county after he was born, later the family moved back to Chiayi
city. Chinyu Yeh was a pottery worker, being influenced by his father; during
the time when the family moved to Matou, Yeh Wang was still a little kid, he
usually herded cattle around the tombs or open space. During his leisure time,
he learned to make animal figures with earth, and his interest was to decorate
those figures based on some story plots.
Someday, a group of artisans from Kungtung who were hired to build Kungtung mansion
at Tainan , among them, there was some colored pottery artisan. As he saw Yeh
Wang's earty sculptures were so dedicate and lively, he called him as a genius.
The colored pottery artisan then discussed with Yeh Wang's father to take him
as his fellow. He brought Yen Wang to Tainan , passing on the abstruse skills
of colored pottery to him. During the free time of burning colored potteries
for the use of the Kungtung mansion, the master passed on all techniques to Yeh
Wang. Yeh Wang had later become the founder of Chiayi colored pottery.
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