Celadon
Jade-green pottery glaze originating in China, named in Europe.
Celadon refers to pottery that is either glazed in a jade-green color (often called greenware, the term specialists now prefer) or coated with a transparent glaze, frequently marked by fine cracks, which was initially developed for greenware but later applied to other types of porcelain. Though the term itself is European, celadon originated in China, where famous kilns like Longquan in Zhejiang province are known for their celadon glazes. Production later expanded to Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Vietnam, and eventually some European potteries made celadon pieces, though it never became a major tradition there. Finer examples are porcelain, but both the color and glaze can also appear on stoneware and earthenware. Much early Longquan celadon sits between stoneware and porcelain, meeting Chinese but not European definitions of porcelain.
For centuries, Chinese imperial courts prized celadon wares, but they fell out of favor as painted wares, especially blue and white porcelain, gained popularity under the Yuan dynasty. The color’s resemblance to jade—China’s most treasured material—was a key reason for its appeal. Production continued in China at a reduced scale, often with deliberate attempts to revive older styles. In Korea, celadon from the Goryeo period (918–1392) is considered a classic of Korean porcelain.
The celadon color is typically achieved by firing a glaze containing a small amount of iron oxide at high temperature in a reducing kiln. The materials must be pure, as other chemicals can drastically change the color. Too little iron oxide yields blue (sometimes intentional), while too much produces olive and eventually black; the ideal range is between 0.75% and 2.5%. Other chemicals can also affect the result—titanium dioxide, for instance, adds a yellowish tint.
The term “celadon” for this pale jade-green glaze was coined by European connoisseurs. The most accepted theory is that it first appeared in 17th-century France, named after the shepherd Celadon in Honoré d’Urfé’s pastoral romance *L’Astrée* (1627), who wore pale green ribbons. (D’Urfé borrowed the character from Ovid’s *Metamorphoses* V.144.) Another theory suggests the term is a corruption of Saladin’s name, as the Ayyubid sultan sent forty pieces of such ceramic to Nur ad-Din Zengi in 1171.
Celadon glaze refers to a family of usually partly transp
- origin
- China
- term origin
- Europe (France, 17th century)
- key color
- Jade green (celadon)
- glaze composition
- Iron oxide (0.75%–2.5%)
- firing temperature
- Minimum 1,260 °C (2,300 °F)
- notable kiln
- Longquan kiln, Zhejiang province
- historical period
- Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) onward
Lore & Background
Celadon originated in China, with greenwares found in earthenware from the Shang dynasty onwards. Archaeologist Wang Zhongshu states that shards with a celadon ceramic glaze have been recovered from Eastern Han dynasty tomb excavations in Zhejiang, and that this type became well known during the Three Kingdoms. The earliest major type was Yue ware, succeeded by Northern Celadons such as Yaozhou ware. Longquan celadon wares were first made during the Northern Song but flourished under the Southern Song, as the capital moved south and northern kilns declined. For many centuries, celadon wares were highly regarded by the Chinese imperial court, before being replaced in fashion by painted wares, especially blue and white porcelain under the Yuan dynasty.
Reader's Guide
Celadon holds significance as a major ceramic tradition that influenced East Asia and beyond. Its jade-green color, achieved by firing a glaze containing iron oxide in a reducing kiln, was highly valued in China for its resemblance to jade. The term 'celadon' itself is European, first appearing in 17th-century France, likely named after the shepherd Celadon in Honoré d'Urfé's romance L'Astrée. Notable kilns like Longquan in Zhejiang produced wares that were exported throughout East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East in the 13th–15th centuries. In Korea, celadon from the Goryeo period is regarded as classic. Though celadon gradually went out of fashion after the rise of blue and white porcelain, it continued to be produced at a lower level, often with revivals of older styles. The glaze can be produced in a variety of colors including white, grey, blue, and yellow, depending on factors such as glaze thickness, clay type, and firing conditions.
Did You Know?
- The term 'celadon' was coined by European connoisseurs, first appearing in 17th-century France, possibly named after the shepherd Celadon in Honoré d'Urfé's pastoral romance L'Astrée.
- Celadon color is produced by firing a glaze containing 0.75% to 2.5% iron oxide at high temperature in a reducing kiln.
- The oldest European import of celadon, dating to about 1420, is a cup mounted in metal owned by the Counts of Katzenelnbogen.
- In Japan, greenware (seiji) was mostly avoided by potters because of a high loss rate of up to 80%.
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