14/15C Antique LONGQUAN ware cong vase #5146

Width: approx. 9.4cm (3 45⁄64in)
Height: approx. 24.2cm (9 17⁄32in)
Weight: 1011g
Origin: Southwest Zhejiang, China
note: According to the previous owner, this ceradon bowl was purchased by a Japanese researcher of Chinese ceramics at an antique shop in Luoyang. There is a Chinese printed label on the vase, but I am unable to read Chinese.

LONGQUAN kiln
This is the greatest kiln located in Southwest Zhejiang, China for celadon porcelain. Longquan Kiln was established during the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) and inherited the traditions of the Yuezhou Kiln. It is said to have originated when Chai Rong (921-959), the second emperor of the Later Zhou dynasty, commanded, "Create ceramics like the sky after the rain."

Longquan Kiln reached its peak during the Southern Song dynasty. A large number of celadon pieces were exported to Japan, where they were highly regarded by tea ceremony masters.

In Japan, Longquan celadon is classified into three categories: KINUTA celadon (from the late Southern Song to early Yuan periods), TENRYUJI celadon (from the Yuan to early Ming periods), and SHICHIKAN celadon (from the Ming to Qing periods).

KINUTA celadon (12C-14C) is exceptionally high-quality celadon. It features a thin body with a thick layer of matte, pale bluish glaze. There is almost no crazing in the glaze.

TENRYUJI celadon (14C-15C) is characterized by a heavy, thick style and yellowish-green glaze, a result of the late Southern Song period when the overproduction led to a shortage of quality raw materials.

SHICHIKAN celadon (15C-20C) refers to Longquan celadon produced from the mid-Ming to the Qing period. This type of celadon has a transparent glaze with a strong luster and a grayish-green hue, often featuring crackle patterns and more decorative elements.

Overall, the works of Longquan Kiln tend to have a unified design, as they were primarily made for the imperial court.