Celadon

From the Shang and Zhou dynasties, Chinese porcelain is called proto-celadon. Down to the Warring States Period, porcelainis termed "early celadon." Its glaze is fairly thick and glossy, andits color a rather dark blue green. Complete sets of celadon vessels weremanufactured as early as at the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty. In addition to the blue-green glaze, vessels have pale grey, yellowish green and brownish black glazes. During the Tang Dynasty, celadon manufacture reached ahigh degree of perfection. The most important manufacturing site is that of the Yue Kilns (越窑) in Yuezhou (越州), South China. These kilns were the early center of celadon production. Yue celadon is described as "jade like,""icelike" or "the color of infused tea." Its pale blue-green glaze was translucent and lustrous. Yue celadon was also a tribute item to the reigning imperial court. During the Song Dynasty, Longqua Kilns (龙泉窑 ) in Longquan County and several other counties in Zhejiang Province became the center of celadon manufacture in South China. These kilns remained in existencefor 700 years from the Song to the Qing Dynasty, and some of the products were shipped overseas.