Five Dynasties

Refers to the period in Chinese history between the fall of the Tang dynasty (907 CE) and the founding of the Sung dynasty (960 CE), when five dynasties followed one another in quick succession in northern China. They all had their capital at Kaifeng in Henan province. The southern regions experienced more prosperity and peace than the north and subsequently literature, painting, metalwork, relief sculpture, textiles, and ceramics all flourished in the south. It was also an important transitional period for ceramics in the northern areas; prosperous ding kilns were located in Hebei.