Palace of Nishapur

Though Changsha Ware was considered a luxury, the immense scale of production meant it was a luxury that middle-class merchants, scribes, and soldiers could afford. Serving bowls decorated with beautiful flowers and wine jars sporting romantic poetry emphasized the good life enjoyed by those with the means to participate in the Silk Roads trade.

The bold colors and patterns set Changsha Ware apart from the drab locally available ceramics. At the same time, the sturdy stoneware body and solid glaze made Changsha Ware a durable commodity. Part of its appeal to medieval consumers was that Changsha Ware was both aesthetically pleasing and practical.