Heavy Medieval Celadon Green Ceramic Glazed Bowl 1200AD $89.99

For Customers outside of USA

Exceptionally Well Preserved, Handsome, Heavy Genuine Ancient “Celadon” Green Glazed Bowl. Perfect as a Candy or Potpourri Dish!

CLASSIFICATION: Glazed Earthenware Longquan Yao Bowl.

ATTRIBUTION: Ancient China, Yuan Dynasty (1275-1368 A.D.).

SIZE/MEASUREMENTS:

Diameter: 151 millimeters (6 inches) at top lip; 67 millimeters (2 2/3 inches) at base.

Height: 61 millimeters (2 1/2 inches)

Notes: Potpourri or decorative wrapped hard candy available upon request.

CONDITION: Exceptionally good, very well preserved. Virtually the entirety of the original glaze is entirely intact. A few very tiny blemishes consistent with use and then burial since ancient times. The normal potting blemishes associated with crude hand production (warts, dimples, zits and pits). No cracks, no chips, no repairs, integrity entirely intact!

DETAIL: A splendid earthenware bowl from the Yuan Dynasty of Ancient China. This is a fairly deep bowl, very heavy, perfect for candy or potpourri. Though this is of the coarser ware generally made for the peasantry, it is in remarkably good condition. The glaze is almost entirely intact, very uncommon for a utensil approximately 700 years old. Incidentally, these bowls were intentionally not glazed at the center of the inside of the bowl so that they could be stacked one inside the other inside the kiln. There are no significant blemishes of any type, chips, cracks, repairs, etc. There are a few minor scuffs, marks, insignificant chips, etc. What you would expect to find of a 700 year old household artifact which was used in ancient times and then buried for centuries and centuries. Also of course the normal blemishes (bumps, warts, zits and pits) one expects with earthenware crudely fashioned by hand. It’s not perfect, but it is about as close to perfect as you will ordinarily find of an authentic little bowl like this.

Of course realistically one would expect some blemishes after being buried for seven centuries, and there are no surprises here except that there are so few blemishes. There are a number of riblets visible on the outside surface of the bowl beneath the rim, evidence of being turned on a wheel, which add character to the piece. Overall it is an exceptionally attractive piece, and exceptionally well preserved specimen of the ancient Chinese art of pottery. If you’d like an authentic ancient glazed earthenware bowl to proudly display, you could not go wrong with this one. It is solidly shaped, nicely featured, and nicely proportioned. It would make a unique candy dish, potpourri dish, or change bowl. You could display this one with great pride either at work on your desk or at home. Either way, it will certainly generate curiosity and perhaps even a little envy! We can even include wrapped decorative candy and/or potpourri upon request so the piece is ready for display or gift giving right out of the box!

HISTORY OF YUAN CERAMICS: The Mongol invasion of China led to the fall of the Song Dynasty, the rise of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368 A.D.), and a more cosmopolitan view of the world, broadening horizons and significantly altering Chinese. Important advances in porcelain techniques included underglaze porcelain; ground cobalt was mixed with water and painted on an unfired piece of porcelain. In the kiln, the blackish pigment turned a rich shade of blue, thus creating the famous tradition of blue-and-white ware. For centuries blue and white porcelain was produced not only for markets in China, but for export to the Muslim Middle East and Europe. Copper oxide was also used successfully as a decorative agent in the same way, creating the class of porcelains known as underglaze red. A growing demand for Chinese ceramics in the Middle East stimulated the Mongol rulers to boost ceramic output for export. Though the Mongol Yuan Dynasty was short-lived, it had a profound effect on the history of porcelain production for the next 600 years.

HISTORY OF EARTHENWARE IN CHINA: The first Chinese ceramics archaeologists have found date back more than 10,000 years. These were earthenware, which means they were made from clay and fired at the kind of low temperatures reached by a wood fire or simple oven. In China, most ceramics made before the Tang dynasty (600 A.D.) are earthenware. They may be glazed or unglazed, and are occasionally painted, often brightly colored. Stoneware ceramics are harder and less porous than earthenware and are fired at hotter temperatures—between 2100°F and 2400°F. At these high temperatures, the surface of the clay melts and becomes glassy. Although stoneware is usually waterproof, most stoneware ceramics are glazed for decoration. The glazes often contain ash, which allows the glaze to harden at stoneware temperatures.

During the Shang Dynasty (1600-1100 B.C.) bronze metallurgy superceded ceramics as the favored art form of the ruling class. However both the ceramic and the bronze industries evolved into complex systems of production that were supported by the aristocracy. Decorative designs rich in symbolism were created first in bronze were then imitated in clay. Chinese burial customs included the tradition of placing clay replicas of material possessions, animals and people in the tomb to accompany the deceased and serve them in the next life. Although archaeological finds have revealed that glazed pottery was produced as early as 1100 B.C. during the Zhou dynasty, the production of glazed wares was not common until about 200 B.C. during the Han Dynasty. However from about 1000 B.C. onwards during the Shang and Zhou dynasties, primitive porcelain wares emerged. Real porcelain wares appeared in the Han dynasty around 200 A.D. In the process of porcelain development, different styles in different periods blossomed.

The production of porcelain became widespread by about 500 A.D. Using a special clay with ground rock containing feldspar, a glassy mineral, the material was fired at very high temperatures above 2400°F. The surface of the clay melts at such high temperatures and becomes smooth as glass. Early porcelains were undecorated and were used by the Imperial court and exported as far as the Middle East. For instance during the Han Dynasty principally celadon (green) and black porcelain were mainly produced. The famous blue and white porcelain was created with blue paint made from cobalt and then covered with a clear glaze, which can withstand the high temperatures of the kiln. The technical and creative innovations of Chinese potters are unique accomplishments in the cultural heritage of the world. Today, archaeological excavation and research in China are revealing new sites and new examples of the genius of the Chinese potter.

HISTORY OF THE YUAN DYNASTY: The history of the Yuan Dynasty (1275-1368 A.D.) is of Mongol rule – the first alien dynasty to rule China. By the mid-thirteenth century the Mongols under Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, had conquered North China, Korea, the Muslim kingdoms of Central Asia - even twice penetrating Europe. With the resources of a vast empire, Kublai Khan turned his ambition against the Southern Sung Dynasty, which subsequently collapsed in 1279 A.D. Under the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, the Central Asian trade routes were entirely under Mongol control and more secure than ever before. Commercially oriented infrastructure improvements encouraged overland as well as maritime commerce.

Reciprocal trade between West and East increased correspondingly, and the increased contact with Western Asia and Europe brought about an enhanced degree of cultural exchange. The cultural diversity resulted in the development of drama, written novels, and increased use of the written language. Western musical instruments were introduced enriching performing arts. Advances were realized in the fields of travel literature, cartography and geography, and scientific education. Certain key Chinese innovations, such as printing techniques, porcelain production, playing cards, and medical literature, were introduced in Europe, while the production of thin glass and cloisonne became popular in China. The first records of travel to China by Westerners date from this time, the most famous of course by Venetian Marco Polo.

The Mongols undertook extensive public works. Roads, communications, and water distribution were reorganized and improved. Granaries were ordered built throughout the empire against the possibility of famines. As the terminus of a completely renovated Grand Canal, Beijing was rebuilt with new palace grounds that included artificial lakes, hills and mountains, and parks. Nonetheless discontent grew within China as Confucian officials and scholars resented Mongol restrictions against Chinese holding important offices. Inflation and oppressive taxes alienated Chinese peasants. During the 1330’s and 1340’s crop failures, famine, and the repeated flooding of several major rivers in North China led to uprisings in almost every province, and several major rebel leaders emerged. Aided by rivalry amongst competing Mongol heirs to the thrown, in the 1360s a former Buddhist monk turned rebel army leader was successful in extending his power throughout the Yangtze Valley and eventually overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty.

HISTORY OF ANCIENT CHINESE CIVILIZATION: Want to know a little more about the history of human civilization in ancient China? Click right here.

A certificate of authenticity (COA) is available upon request. Artifacts are mailed from the USA. Due to its fragile nature this particular piece is only shipped in an oversized box with lots of Styrofoam peanuts. The cost for shipping this item includes delivery confirmation (you can track your shipment on-line at the USPS Web Site). Additional items shipped together do result in a discount. The shipping weight of this item is 1 pounds. Various rates for shipping both domestically and internationally may be viewed here. A wide variety of cost-effective methods are available including surface mail, air mail, and expedited mail.