Longquan celadon (龍泉青瓷), a famous type of Chinese reduction-fired glazed ware, was first found during the period of the Jin Dynasty (A.D. 265-376). It is characterized by simple but refined shapes, jade-like glaze, solid substance and a distinctive style. As the celadon ware was produced in Longquan City, Zhejiang Province of China, is most valued, so it is also called Longquan “qinci”. Its Chinese name means “greenish porcelain”.
Northern Song Dynasty (A.D. 960-1127), the most important period in China porcelain production, also brought the prosperity to celadon. By Southern Song and Yuan Dynasty (A.D. 1127-1368), Longquan celadon experienced the most prosperous period. Not only the production skill level reached a new mile-stone, the area also became a comprehensive celadon kiln districts that surrounded at Longquan as the center.
Longquan celadon not only used in royal courts of ancient China, but exported to many other countries and regions in Asia, Africa and Europe since Song Dynasty. In the middle of Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644) Longquan celadon was first introduced to Europe. Due to its exquisite beauty and jade-like feature, the celadon price was worth as gold at that time. Why is it known in the Western world as 'celadon’? Celadon was the hero of the French writer Honore Urfe's romance L' Astree (1610) the lover of the heroine Astree. He was represented as a young man in green and his dress became all the rage in Europe. And it was just about this time that Chinese “qingci” made its debut in Paris and won acclaim. People compared its color to Celadon's suit and started to call the porcelain "celadon", and the name spread to other countries since then.
From Qing Dynasty to Republic Period (A.D. 1911-1949) was the dark period of Longquan celadon in history. The kilns were shut down and neglected for hundreds of years. Not to mention the art work were almost replaced by daily ware and antique reproductions during that period.
In Year 1967 the Premier to People of the Republic of China Mr. Zhou En-Lai recommended and supported the recovery of Longquan celadon production. When the authority approved the privatization of state-owned celadon factories 30 years after, the ceramists were encouraged and rewarded by the innovation and creativity of celadon artwork. The self-employed celadon workshops boomed and replaced the state-owned factories and, became the main stream to the contemporary celadon artwork in today. Up to present there are 3 National Art and Craft Masters (similar with Living National Treasure, Ningen Kokuho in Japanese) being recognized as Longquan celadon expert and several few under the title of Zhejiang Provincial Art and Craft Masters.
From overall production process celadon is the best example of the ceramist's art and often called the most difficult style to master. It requires 42 steps that include flawless potting, precise glazes, perfectly controlled kiln’s temperatures and the understanding to have a high loss rate, up to 80 percent or higher for a single kiln.
As today’s modern celadon artworks not only inherit the features of tradition Longquan kilns but also carry out many amazing innovation in terms of glaze and antique reproduction. As the agent to all the major art and craft masters at Longquan City, ESHYI Celadon Art not only represent the outstanding achievements in traditional form of those ceramists but also the most exciting innovation creation for your refreshing.