Jun Ware: A Splash of Color in the Song Dynasty
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Jun ware, produced in kilns in Henan province, is distinguished by its vibrant, opalescent glazes, which range in color from sky blue to lavender, crimson, and even deep purple. Unlike the more restrained celadons and monochromes of the Song Dynasty, Jun ware is known for its dramatic splashes of color and bold, expressive forms. The vibrant colour palette makes them stand out from the more muted forms of Song Dynasty pottery.  The creation of Jun ware involved meticulous glaze application and precise control of firing conditions. The vibrant colors were achieved through the use of copper and iron oxide, and the thickness of the glaze also contributed to the overall visual effect.  The forms of Jun ware pieces were often simple and robust, such as bowls, dishes, and vases, designed to showcase the beauty of the glaze. The overall form of the pieces was designed to make the glaze as visually striking as possible.  Jun glazes often exhibit a subtle mottling or streaking, and this natural variation adds a level of depth and visual complexity to these wares. No two pieces of Jun ware are exactly alike, as the firing process created unique results every time. Jun ware’s vibrant colors and expressive forms make it a highly valued and distinctive type of Song Dynasty ceramics, which demonstrates the diversity of ceramic production during this period. |
Tag : Jun ware, Song Dynasty pottery, Chinese colored glaze, opalescent pottery, vibrant glazes
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Song Dynasty tea culture had a profound impact on ceramics, leading to the creation of specialized tea bowls like Jian ware with unique glazes and forms, reflecting the period’s emphasis on simplicity, elegance, and mindfulness.
Celadon, a jade-like green glazed ceramic, is a hallmark of Song Dynasty pottery, especially Longquan celadon, known for its pure color, smooth texture, and elegant forms, and also includes distinctive styles like that of Yaozhou.
Song Dynasty ceramics (960-1279) represent a golden age of Chinese pottery, marked by refined techniques, elegant forms, and a focus on monochrome glazes like celadon, showcasing subtle beauty and technical mastery.
Guan ware and Ge ware, both associated with the Southern Song Dynasty, are known for their distinctive crackled glazes, which were caused by the different contraction rates of the glaze and the ceramic body. These wares, which are also often referred to as “crackled ware”, exhibit a wide variety of crackle patterns, from fine “fish roe” patterns to more pronounced “ice crackle” patterns.
Jun ware, a distinctive Song Dynasty ceramic style, is known for its thick, opalescent glazes in a range of colors, achieved through carefully controlled firing processes, often exhibiting dramatic and unpredictable visual effects.