CELADON
Celadon is held to the aristocrat of Chinese porcelains, production beginning in the 7th
century,
and reaching its pinnacle in the 13th and 14th
centuries.
China, Korea, Vietnam and Thailand all made excellent ware.
Originally called Yue Ware, it became renamed
Celadon
after a character in a French play who ware a greenish costume (17th
century).
The glaze itself contains a
small amount of iron oxide.
The ceramic is fired at a high temperature,
being careful to allow very little air into the
kiln.
The amount of air determines the color: little air produces the pale
blue or qingbai
(yingqing); a little
more air produces green; more air, olive to yellow or turquoise.
Colors can
also range to gray or brown.
The finish can be shiny
or dull, smooth or crackled
Celadon was held in reverence,
thought to have magical properties:
plates changing color if poison were
placed upon them;
plates and bowls could talk;
cure diseases; could summon religious forces.
Newborn children of nobility
were presented on
celadon. The best pieces were
used in grave furnishing, especially children,
which is why we have some
excellent examples today.
For
Related Qingbai / Yingqing Celadons, please click below: |
