Proto-celadon

Proto-celadon (Chinese: 灰釉陶, also 原始青瓷) was a type of Chinese ceramic which developed during the Shang period and Western Han 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.
Proto-celadon Zun wine vessel, Shang period, 16-11th century 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]

During the Shang and Zhou periods, proto-celadon was mainly produced in the areas south of the Yangtze river.[2] Following this period, 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 jar, Eastern Jin, 317-420 CE.
  • Celadon jar with brown spots, Eastern Jin, 317-420 CE.

Notes
  1. Kelun, Chen (1 January 2004). Chinese Porcelain: Art, Elegance, and Appreciation. Long River Press. pp. 3ff. ISBN 9781592650125.
  2. Shanghai Museum permanent exhibit
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