Description
Longquan vessels found their way to a variety of markets around the world, from royal palaces to common dwellings. During the Yuan dynasty a peak in quantity was reached, with more than 150 kiln sites overall. Many new decoration techniques and forms of mass production for global exports emerged, until production almost expired entirely during the late Ming dynasty, due to a range of still-debated reasons. It is readily apparent that the Longquan kilns in Zhejiang province produced a wide range of wares, in vast quantities, over a period of more than 500 years. During the Southern Song period premier kinuta ceramics glazed with shimmering pale bluish-green colours attracted the highest approbation. During the early Ming dynasty the Daoyao kiln manufactured superlative imperial ceramics for the imperial household. However, despite of their great beauty and perceived worth, Longquan ceramics have never been regarded as one of the “Five Great Wares”.
Rose Kerr is an English art historian specialising in Chinese art, especially Chinese ceramics. She graduated in Chinese studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, and was one of a handful of British students to live and study in China during the last year of the Cultural Revolution, 1975-1976. She has often travelled round China, visiting museums and ancient kiln sites. After working for 25 years at the Victoria & Albert Museum, she now concentrates on teaching, research and writing.