Longquan celadon, Traditional ceramic production center in Lishui Prefecture, Zhejiang Province, China.
Longquan celadon is a traditional ceramic produced in the Lishui region of Zhejiang Province featuring a distinctive greenish-blue glaze that gives vessels a jade-like appearance. The thick-walled pieces are covered with a smooth, lustrous surface that shows remarkable depth of color.
Production of this ceramic began in earlier times but flourished during the Southern Song Dynasty, when it achieved its finest artistic expression. The techniques developed during that era became a model for Chinese porcelain making for centuries to come.
The greenish glaze of these ceramics carries meaning in Chinese culture, representing virtue and integrity through its connection to jade. Visitors can observe how artisans continue to express these values in their craft today.
The firing process requires specific conditions in wood-fired kilns at high temperatures to achieve proper glaze development. Visitors should be aware that production follows seasonal patterns, with workshops more active at certain times of the year.
The name celadon originated from a French novel character whose green clothing matched the color of this pottery, a connection that made the term popular across Europe. This unlikely link between French literature and Chinese ceramic craft has endured for centuries.
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