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Song Dynasty 宋

The Song Dynasty (960—1279) was a prosperous period in China during which cities flourished, many inventions where made, such as gunpowder and movable type printing, and porcelain became more widespread. There were many developments in form, glaze techniques, and artistic content. Of the many porcelain factories in China at this time, and the best know were the Five Famous Kilns of the Song Dynasty 宋代五大名窑, which were: Ru Kiln 汝窑 in present day Linru, Henan; Guan Kiln 官窑; Ge Kiln 哥窑; Jun Kiln 钧窑 in present day Yuxian County, Henan; and Ding Kiln 定窑 in present day Quyuan County, Hebei.

青釉刻花莲瓣盖罐 龙泉窑 宋（960〜1279年） 上海博物馆 Celadon Covered Jar with a Lotus Petal Design Longquan Kiln, Song (960—1279), Shanghai Museum

Longquan Kiln 龙泉窑 located in present day Longquan, Zhejiang and founded in the Five Dynasties period, is one of the most famous porcelain kilns in China, The kiln is known for the powder-green and plum-green colors obtained by applying multiple layers of glaze. The jar below was produced at Longquan Kiln. Longquan kiln was well known for producing soft colors and forms in a subtle variety of greens and blues. A special alkaline-calcarous glaze was used rather than the standard lime glaze to allow thicker and more even application.

青釉刻花牡丹纹梅瓶 宋（960〜1279年） 耀州窑 上海博物馆 Celadon meiping vase with carved peony design Song (960—1279), Yaozhou Kiln, Shanghai Museum

Yaozhou Kiln 耀州窑 was established in Shaanxi in the Tang. It produced black, white, and celadon porcelain. A meiping 梅瓶, such as the one shown above from Yaozhou, is a kind of flower vase with a narrow mouth.

青釉刻花缠枝花卉纹瓶 北宋（960〜1127年） 耀州窑 上海博物馆 Celadon vase with carved interlaced floral design Northern Song (960—1127 BCE), Yaozhou Kiln, Shanghai Museum

Natural themes, especially flowers, in porcelain were popular during the Song, such as the lotus petal, peony, lotus bouquet items on this page show.

白地黑花把莲纹枕 磁州窑 北宋（960〜1127） 上海博物馆 Porcelain pillow with dark lotus bouquet design on light background Cizhou Kiln, Northern Song (960—1127), Shanghai Museum

The lotus bouquet design 把莲纹, shown above, is a traditional design that combines lotus flowers, stem, and leaves.

白釉划花莲鱼纹瓶 宋（960〜1279年） 上海博物馆 White glazed vase with incised fish and lotus design Song (960—1279), Shanghai Museum

The Jizhou Kiln 吉州窑 was located in Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze) area. The kiln was well known for producing porcelain with a folk art flavor. The covered jar below is from Jizhou Kiln.

白地褐花叶纹盖罐 南宋〜元（1127〜1368）吉州窑 上海博物馆 Covered jar with a brown leaf design on white background Southern Song — Yuan (1127—1368), Jizhou Kiln, Shanghai Museum

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