Longquan Celedon Song Dynasty Lotus Bowl

AGE: – Song/Sung Dynasty
CONSTRUCTION: – Ceramic
HEIGHT: – 6cm
DIAMETER:– 9.6cm
BASE DIAMETER: – 5cm
WEIGHT:– 200gms
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Chinese Longquan Celedon Song Dynasty Lotus Bowl with a soft crackled bluish-green glaze surrounded by a carved band of overlapping lotus petals on the outside with raised central ribs reaching up, stopping short of the mouth of the bowl.

Longquan ceramics, originating from the Zhejiang province in China, are renowned for their unique celadon glaze, although many other kilns have been located in other nearby parts of China producing this type of green glazed celadon porcelain which has been treasured since the Song dynasty.

These ceramics are characterized by their thick, lustrous glaze, often in shades of olive-green, though they can range from greenish blues to browns. The glaze’s colour is derived not from the clay itself but from the iron oxide in the glaze, which transforms the high-temperature firing process. Longquan celadon is not only a testament to the potters’ skill but also to their artistic vision, with designs often featuring incised or carved motifs, such as lotus flowers, dragons, or phoenixes.

The production of Longquan ceramics was a significant part of China’s export economy for over five centuries, with these wares being highly sought after both domestically and internationally. Their popularity was partly due to a belief that celadon dishes would break or change colour if they came into contact with poisoned food, a superstition that undoubtedly added to their allure. Despite the decline in their production after the Ming dynasty, when they were surpassed by the blue and white porcelains of Jingdezhen, Longquan ceramics remain a symbol of Chinese cultural heritage and continue to influence ceramic production to this day. Collectors and connoisseurs from around the world still celebrate Longquan celadon for its historical significance and enduring beauty.

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