There¡¦s plenty for potters to see in Taiwan. In fact, Taipei should be on any potter¡¦s list of destinations on the Asian grand tour.
Here are my suggestions:
National Palace Museum
This holds the private collection of the Chinese emperors. It is quite simply the best collection of Chinese art in the world. This museum contains amazing ceramics; almost every piece on display is a definitive example of its type. Be sure to see notice the Song dynasty Ru (Ju) celadons. There are only a few dozen complete examples in existence, and all of the best ones are at this museum.
Yingge Ceramics Museum
This is in the pottery town of Yingge, which is in Taipei county about half an hour¡¦s drive south of Taipei city. The museum just opened a few weeks ago. The facilities are quite impressive, and the top floor holds rotating exhibitions of contemporary ceramics. The town of Yingge is also a must-see for any potter.. There must be over a hundred pottery shops there, selling everything from mass produced flower pots to reproduction classical ceramics to some of the world¡¦s finest studio pottery. You could spend days just browsing the shops in this town. Although few people speak English, the shop owners are very knowledgeable about their wares.
Chang Collection
This little museum houses one of the world¡¦s best private collections of imperial ceramics. Exhibits change periodically. Their Ming blue and white is especially impressive.
National Museum of History
This has a good collection of Tang tricolor pottery. Also some superb Neolithic wares. And there is a great little teahouse on the top floor.
Shung Ye Museum of the Formosan Aborigine
This museum is just down the road from the Palace Museum. It houses an interesting collection of aboriginal pots. They sometimes show an anthropological documentary that records how these pots used to be made.
Any potter visiting Taiwan should also visit one of the traditional teahouses to experience how Taiwanese drink the delicious local tea with Yixing pots. Although Yixing wares are imported from China, the world¡¦s most enthusiastic connoisseurs are Taiwanese. Here you can see how Taiwanese blend various Chinese arts, such as pottery, tea, calligraphy, and flower arranging. It¡¦s the best place to understand the living spirit of Taiwanese pottery.
I would love to meet you. Feel free to give me a call when you arrive. My phone number is (02) 2660-6483.
Bret
