Qionglai Kiln was a famous pottery kiln of
the Tang Dynasty (618-907). First built in the Southern Dynasties Period
(420-589), the kiln was abandoned during the Song (960-1279). It is one of the
most typical kilns containing wares of greatest variety in Sichuan Province.
Qiong Kiln was destroyed in the early 20th
century. Between the 1950s and early 1980s, ancient kiln sites were discovered
in Shifangtang, Jianzi Mountain, Wayao Mountain, Xihe Village and Guyi Town --
the most famous being the one from Shifangtang.
Pots, jars and standing cups were unearthed
at the ferry site of Shifangtang. Such pieces display the typical style of the
Southern Dynasties Period until the Sui Dynasty (581-618), particularly from the
Tang Dynasty. The various ware includes bowls, plates, vases and jars -- all
possessing local features not seen at other Tang kilns. The ware was decorated
with brownish-green dots to form patterns of flowers and grass, or flowers and
birds. Moreover, a large number of small animals and human statues were also
unearthed at the site.