The Shang Dynasty in Ancient China during the Bronze Age had a variety of ways in forming their ceramic pieces. Perhaps their two most notable methods were using molds and throwing clay on a potter's wheel. They had earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain pieces that were usually built for functionality rather than pure aesthetics. They made pots, plates, and other useful forms in order the store solids and liquids and were decorated differently depending on which type of clay that they used. Earthenware pieces were often carved while porcelain pieces were glazed in bright colors. The Chinese also used wood fire pits and primitive kilns in order to fire their
