The art of porcelain sculpture-making boasts a remarkable lineage stretching back over two millennia. Archaeological evidence suggests the earliest porcelain artifacts emerged in China's Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE), where proto-porcelain objects displayed primitive sculptural qualities. However, it was during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 CE) that true porcelain sculpture began taking shape, with artisans mastering high-temperature kiln techniques to create durable ceramic artworks.

Traditional Chinese porcelain sculpture reached its zenith during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, when craftsmen developed sophisticated glazing methods and intricate carving techniques. The famous Tang Dynasty tricolor pottery (sancai) demonstrated early experimentation with polychrome decoration, while Song artists perfected the creation of delicate figurines with translucent qualities.

European porcelain sculpture emerged much later, following Marco Polo's accounts of Chinese ceramics and the eventual discovery of porcelain-making secrets in Meissen, Germany (1708). This sparked a European porcelain revolution, with distinct regional styles developing in France, Italy and England.

Technological evolution transformed porcelain sculpture across centuries:

1. Early techniques relied on hand-molding and simple tools

2. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) introduced underglaze blue decoration

3. 18th century European factories developed paste porcelain formulas

4. Industrial Revolution brought mechanized production methods

5. Contemporary artists combine traditional craftsmanship with digital design

Modern porcelain sculpture continues evolving, with artists pushing boundaries through experimental firing techniques, mixed-media approaches, and conceptual installations. Yet the fundamental appeal remains unchanged - the transformation of humble clay into enduring artistic expressions that bridge ancient traditions with contemporary creativity.