What Do You Call a Plant Pot in Antique Chinese?

Antique Chinese pottery is coveted around the world for its exquisite beauty and remarkable craftsmanship. One of the most popular types of pottery has always been the humble plant pot or flower pot. In antique Chinese, there were several words for plant pots, each of which had a unique connotation and a specific application.

Duan Ni

One of the most famous types of antique Chinese plant pots is the duan ni. This term refers to a specific type of clay that was used to create plant pots with a distinctive reddish-brown color. In addition to its striking hue, duan ni was prized for its unique properties. This type of clay was especially permeable, which allowed it to absorb water easily and release it gradually. This made it an ideal material for plant pots, as it prevented plants from becoming waterlogged while still ensuring that they received enough moisture.

Yixing

Another popular term for plant pots in antique Chinese was yixing. This term actually refers to a specific city in China, which happened to be renowned for its pottery. Plant pots made in the yixing style were typically made from a type of clay known as zisha, which was noted for its rich purple-brown color. Like duan ni, yixing plant pots were prized for their ability to regulate moisture levels, which made them ideal for growing delicate plants such as orchids.

Yue

Yet another term used to refer to plant pots in antique Chinese was yue. This term is somewhat more general, as it refers to a wide range of ceramic vessels that could be used for a variety of purposes, including as plant pots. Yue ceramics were produced in the kilns of the Yue people, who lived in southern China during the Han Dynasty. These ceramics were typically gray or green in color, and were often decorated with intricate geometric patterns or naturalistic images of animals and plants.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there were several words used in antique Chinese to refer to plant pots, each of which referred to a specific type of pot and a particular style of pottery. Whether you were looking for a duan ni plant pot with its characteristic reddish-brown color, a yixing plant pot made from the rich purple-brown zisha clay, or a yue plant pot with its elaborate patterns and designs, antique Chinese pottery had something to offer. Today, these plant pots remain popular among collectors and enthusiasts around the world, thanks to their timeless appeal and exquisite beauty.