Celadon / Greenware

Celadon or greenware refers to ceramics that make characteristic use of the celadon glaze that resembles the translucent milky green of jade, also typical to the form is the presence of fine cracks in the glaze. Originating in Chinese ceramics, early examples of the styles known as proto-celedons can be found from 220 AD onwards. Celadon wares reached their hight in the the Longquan kiln in Zhejiang during the Southern Song dynasty (around 1200 AD) the works of which are particularly renowned. Largely due to its similarity to jade, a traditionally revered material in China, celadon wares were extremely popular in the Chinese Imperial courts. Chinese celadon wares are typically minimal in design, though some subtle relief or engraving may be made to make use of the transparency of the glaze whereby the design is brought out in a fluid manner by creating shallow pools of glaze.