Proto-celadon Zun wine vessel,
Shang period, 16-11th century BCE.
Proto-celadon (Chinese: 灰釉陶, also 原始青瓷) was a type of
Chinese ceramic which developed during the
Shang and
Jin periods. It is often described as "proto-porcelain", and was usually
glazed in light yellowish green.[1]
Proto-celadon jar with ears and vertical stripes,
Warring States period, 475-211 BCE.
The body of proto-celadon was high-fired, the Chinese classification including
porcelain, with an iron content below 3%.[2] Firing temperature was around 1200 degrees Celsius. In Western terms the wares are
stoneware. Surface treatment consisted of a
lime glaze.[2] The shapes manufactured in proto-celadon were similar to the objects manufactured in
bronze.[1]
Proto-celadon was mainly produced in the areas south of the
Yangtze river.[2] From the Han dynasty onward, production greatly improved in quantity and quality.[2]
Inception of true celadon
Celadon lion-shaped Bixie (Chinese: 辟邪),
Western Jin period, 265-317 CE.
From the
Eastern Han period, true
celadon ware (Chinese: 成熟青瓷) started to appear, with production focused in
Zhejiang Province.[1] Although still following the shapes and patterns of proto-celadon wares, these advances now represented the characteristics of porcelain, with refined clays and appropriate firing temperatures.[1]
These advances were followed by those of
Yue ware, and the blooming of celadon production from the period of the
Song dynasty.[1]
Celadon Lian bowl with Buddhist figures,
Western Jin, 265-317 CE.
Celadon Lian bowl with Buddhist figures, Western Jin, 265-317 CE.
Celadon jar, Eastern Jin, 317-420 CE.
Celadon jar with brown spots, Eastern Jin, 317-420 CE.
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