What is Longquan Celadon In China?

Longquan celadon

The cultural and spiritual contained in Longquan celadon are unique, varied shapes, or exquisite and delicate, intriguing, or magnification of Longquan celadon, decorative arts such as carved decals on the celadon and the porcelain making skills such as twisting and semi-polishing of the glaze have added Longquan celadon artistic and cultural atmosphere.

What is longquan celadon

Longquan celadon is a specialty of Longquan City, Zhejiang Province,since more than 1700 years ago and reached its peak in the Song Dynasty. It is one of the historical famous celadon kilns with the longest firing age, the widest distribution of kiln sites, the highest product quality requirements, the largest production scale and the largest export scope in the history of ceramics in the world.

Longquan celadon history

According to research,celadon began in the Han Dynasty, and “Yue kiln” is the best quality of porcelain in Zhejiang.Since the 1970s, a number of ancient tombs from Jin Dynasty have been unearthed in Lishui, Zhejiang. The porcelain in the tomb is slightly different from that of “Yue kiln”. It is speculated that it was an early product of the “Longquan kiln”.

The firing of Longquandi celadon entered its heyday during Song and Yuan dynasty. In the Southern Song Dynasty,Longquan celadon reach its peak, which has been brilliant for hundreds of years,celadon is loved by all over the world.

Production area environment of Longquan celadon

Longquan is located in southwestern Zhejiang, adjacent to Fujian and Jiangxi. There are towering mountains, crisscross streams, beautiful scenery, rich china clay, high mountains and many forests, and sufficient fuel. Longquanxi is located in the upper reaches of the Oujiang River, with convenient water transportation. The fired Longquan celadon is transported directly to Wenzhou port by ship. The superior natural environment provides a very good conditions for the production of Longquan celadon.

Types of Longquan Celadon

Longquan celadon can generally be divided into two type, one is white celadon and cinnabar celadon, which are known as “di kiln”, and the other is “ge kiln”, which refers to Glazed black celadon.

Both characteristics

Ge Kiln celadon: Ge Kiln Longquan celadon are generally simple, dignified, and very ancient. Although it has flaws due to cracks in its appearance, but many people like it and feel that it is naturally a kind of unique beauty.

Di kiln celadon: its shape has the grace and classicism of porcelain, smooth appearance and thick bottom. Fully highlight the blue and smooth characteristics of the glaze in the celadon.

Longquan celadon price

The price is different according to different shapes and sizes,raw materials and color combinations of Longquan celadon,Average quality and small size is about 30USD ~150 USD, Longquan celadon with larger body and more warm color, the price is above 2000 USD;

Why choose Longquan celadon tea set to brew tea

  • The glaze of Longquan celadon is like jade, and different tea soups will have different flavors and feelings. The tea soup blends with porcelain  is more beautiful.
  • The tea set is made through a complex process. The tea leaves will not be moldy and rancid. The high-temperature porcelain glaze is smooth and stable without removing tea taste,keeping the original taste.
  • Longquan celadon is fired at high temperature of more than 1,300 degrees,high heat resistance and not easy to burst.
  • Longquan celadon has a variety of glaze colors, and sculptures, and calligraphy to reflect life and interest on tea sets. It is more interesting to drink tea, cultivate temperament.
  • Longquan celadon is made with kaolin and purple clay that rich in minerals needed by the human body.  It has the effects of regulating human body secretion and blood lipid, blood sugar, cholesterol content, improving stomach  and filtering uremia.

Longquan celadon FAQ

Is Longquan celadon tea cup safe?

Safe, Longquan celadon is fired at high temperature of more than 1,300 degrees. The chemical raw materials cannot withstand such high temperature. It is recognized as a non-toxic, lead-free and environment friendly porcelain. due to the high temperature and difficulty of firing of Longquan celadon,its price slightly higher than other porcelain cups.

What kind of tea is suitable for Longquan celadon teacup?

Longquan celadon is suitable for brewing some light color teas, such as green tea, white tea, or yellow tea,Tieguanyin and Dongding, etc. the color of the Longquan celadon and the color of the soup reflect each other, which can show the elegance of celadon and the color of the tea soup. Let drinkers get enjoyment from it.

Of course, there are many types of Longquan celadon. From the glaze color, there are light greenish blue, celeste,bean green, moon white or beige. Different glaze colors are suitable for different tea soups, Longquan Porcelain with light greenish blue, celeste,bean green color can be used to brew green tea or pu’er.Moonlight can brew white or yellow tea to make tea to appreciate the brightness and fullness of the tea soup. Drinking green tea in beige should also have fun.

How to choose a Longquan celadon bowl

Practicality: The Longquan celadon bowl should be rounded as a whole, the bottom of bowl should be flat. How much glaze accumulates on the curved feet part, not only verdant color, but also a certain thickness.

Color: Check whether there is any  lighter white at the mouth of celadon bowl,overall glaze color should look down more and more, the glaze is getting thicker and thicker,beauty of gradation changing. Appreciating Longquan celadon is mainly to appreciate the beauty of its glaze color change. The glaze color should not be single, and whole completely consistent.

Smooth: Looking at the whole, Longquan celadon is famous for “flower of celadon”,”blue as jade, “bright as a mirror”, a good bowl is as blue as jade,good smoothness.with “sweet sounds”  when lightly tapped.

Difference between Ge Kiln and Di Kiln Porcelain

“Ge kiln” is cracked porcelain, but “Di kiln” is not cracked porcelain. During the firing process of “Ge Kiln” celadon, because the expansion coefficient of the porcelain body is larger than that of the tire glaze, the surface of Ge celadon after firing is covered with different crack patterns, such as eel pattern, black and blue pattern, Light yellow pattern and caviar pattern, these cracks are a defect, but producing “golden wire” effect, a kind of incomplete beauty, so it is famous in all porcelain. “Di kiln”  porcelain without cracks,It is the most precious for light greenish blue celadon glaze. When firing “Di kiln celadon” glaze,the glaze paint on some turning parts will be thinner,the phenomenon of “color contrast” will be formed after the firing finish.

Is Longquan Celadon Worth It?

Longquan celadon is a treasure of Chinese porcelain making. The exquisite Longquan celadon in ancient has great investment value:

  • Yuan Dynasty Longquan Kiln Carved Flower Jar-Transaction Price: RMB1,212,100
  • Yuan Dynasty Longquan Kiln Celadon Engraved Flower Mouth Plate — Transaction Price: RMB1,266,000
  • Yuan Dynasty Longquan Kiln Celadon String Pattern Cup—–Transaction Price: RMB1,545,000
  • Yuan Dynasty Long-neck Bottle-Transaction Price: RMB1,315,000
  • Yuan Dynasty Longquan Kiln Celadon Jar with Peony Pattern (—sold price: RMB1,423,000
  • Yuan Dynasty Longquan Kiln Celadon Plum Vase-Transaction Price: HKD1,690,000
  • Yuan Dynasty Longquan Kiln Celadon Cup-Transaction Price: RMB1,310,350
  • Yuan Dynasty Longquan Kiln Celadon Carved High-foot Cup — Transaction Price: RMB1,615,000
  • Yuan Dynasty Longquan Kiln Carved Flower Jade Hu Spring Bottle-Transaction Price: RMB1,398,000
  • Yuan Dynasty Longquan Kiln Guan Erxian Pattern Pot—–Transaction Price: 3.45 million
  • Early Ming Dynasty Longquan Kiln Designed Hualing Flower Mouth Folding Plate-Transaction Price: 3.22 million
  • Early Ming Dynasty Longquan Kiln Celadon Jade Pot Spring Bottle—–Transaction price: 4.5424 million

Longquan Celadon Glory

Longquan celadon is one of the most famous ceramic kilns with a long history of firing in China. Popular in the Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties.

In 2006, the firing technique of Longquan celadon was listed as the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage masterpieces by the State Council.

In 2009, the traditional firing technique of Longquan celadon was included in the “List of Representative Works of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO. It is also the only ceramic project in the world listed as “Intangible Heritage of Humanity”. After that, it often appeared in important international conferences in China, such as the “APEC” Beijing Summit,”G20″ Hangzhou Summit.

2018, the Longquan Celadon Tour Exhibition was launched at the United Nations Headquarters;

What is longquan celadon,Longquan porcelain history,types,price,tea set,bowl etc,everything you should know when you buy longquan celadon product.