Longquan Celadon
Longquan celadon is traditionally classified into two main categories known as "Ge ware" (from the elder brother kiln) and "Di ware" (from the younger brother kiln). The Records about these two styles of wares can be traced back to Ming Dynasty in China, recounting the tale of the Zhang brothers who excelled in porcelain making in Longquan County. While the actual existence of these two brothers cannot be verified yet, this classification highlights two distinctive styles of Longquan celadon products.
Ge ware
"Ge ware" is characterized by celadon with a black-bodied base. The notable features of these ceramics include a thick glaze surface covered with patterns. The body color is a gray-black hue. The pattern effects, such as ice crackle, crab claw, and cowhair patterns, add a touch of simplicity and elegance to the ceramics.
Di ware
"Di ware" primarily features celadon with white and red-sand-fired bodies. The characteristics of these ceramics include a rich glaze layer, a blue-green glaze color, and a soft luster, resembling the brilliance and moisture of jade. From the form to the glaze color, and the unique crackled texture, they exude a natural and rustic beauty.
Local Clay
The porcelain clay used in Longquan celadon mainly comes from the local area, with its primary component being kaolinite. The hard minerals in this type of porcelain clay significantly impact the hardness and whiteness of the ceramics. The low iron oxide content in kaolinite helps reduce discoloration of the ceramics at high temperatures, laying the foundation for the subsequent formation of celadon glaze colors. Through crushing and washing, the porcelain clay becomes firm, white, thin, and with a smooth glaze, forming high-quality porcelain clay. This type of clay establishes a solid foundation for Longquan celadon, imparting characteristics such as delicacy, lightness, and hardness to the ceramics.
Glaze color
The glaze colors of Longquan celadon can be broadly categorized into three main tones: green, gray, and yellow. The green glaze includes variations such as plum green, pink green, sky blue, bean green, and light green. The gray glaze comprises shades like gray, gray-green, and indigo. Yellow glaze encompasses light yellow, beige, brownish-yellow, greenish-yellow, and honey-yellow. The formation of different tones is influenced by factors such as glaze material composition and firing temperature.
Green Glaze
Longquan celadon is renowned for its unique green glaze. This glaze is formed in a high-temperature reducing atmosphere, typically requiring firing at temperatures above 1200°C. The glaze contains iron elements, and in a reducing atmosphere, a reduction reaction occurs, transforming iron from its oxidized state to a sub-oxidized state, creating the unique green color. This reaction is at the core of the glaze color of Longquan celadon. In terms of glaze presentation, the most striking feature of Longquan celadon is its jade-like green glaze. Among them, pale blue glaze (1180°C-1280°C) and plum-green glaze (1250°C-1280°C) are representative glaze colours.
Pale blue glaze
Pale blue glaze, colored by iron, contains bubbles and unfused quartz particles in the glaze layer, scattering light and presenting a soft, elegant, and translucent texture reminiscent of light green jade.
Plum-green glaze
Plum-green glaze is typically formed at higher firing temperatures, with a thicker glaze layer that exhibits a jade-like luster. This unique green glaze imparts Longquan celadon with captivating charm in terms of luster, texture, and color.