Ceramics made in China during the Song period (960-1279) are among the most influential and revered in the world: they are noted for their elegant, simple shapes, lush glazes, and lively designs. These ceramics are admired in part because of the complicated and varied technologies used in their manufacture. Song ceramics are categorized into wares that often take the names of their areas of production. Jian wares, such as the small tea bowl seen here, were produced in Fujian Province and used throughout China at all levels of society. The "hare's fur" glaze effect on this bowl was created when excess iron in the glaze rose to the surface during firing. This particular tea bowl is unusual because plum blossoms have been painted over the glaze in a brown slip. This extra level of decoration is uncommon in Jian ware and suggests that the bowl was produced for an important patron.
The enormous popularity of Jian ware during the Song period may reflect the importance of tea drinking at this time. Tea drinking had become popular during the Tang dynasty (618-906) and continued to be throughout the Song period. Both the author of the 11th-century Notes on Tea (Cha Lu) and the 12th-century ruler Huizong (r. 1101-1125) are known to have preferred black tea bowls over white or green ones because they better displayed the white color of whisked tea. This type of tea, made from powder rather than leaves, was popular in Song China, and its use spread to Japan, where it was incorporated into the tea ceremony.
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Ceramics made in China during the Song period (960-1279) are among the most influential and revered in the world: they are noted for their elegant, simple shapes, lush glazes, and lively designs. These ceramics are admired in part because of the complicated and varied technologies used in their manufacture. Song ceramics are categorized into wares that often take the names of their areas of production. Jian wares, such as the small tea bowl seen here, were produced in Fujian Province and used throughout China at all levels of society. The "hare's fur" glaze effect on this bowl was created when excess iron in the glaze rose to the surface during firing. This particular tea bowl is unusual because plum blossoms have been painted over the glaze in a brown slip. This extra level of decoration is uncommon in Jian ware and suggests that the bowl was produced for an important patron.<P>The enormous popularity of Jian ware during the Song period may reflect the importance of tea drinking at this time. Tea drinking had become popular during the Tang dynasty (618-906) and continued to be throughout the Song period. Both the author of the 11th-century <I>Notes on Tea</I> (<I>Cha Lu</I>) and the 12th-century ruler Huizong (r. 1101-1125) are known to have preferred black tea bowls over white or green ones because they better displayed the white color of whisked tea. This type of tea, made from powder rather than leaves, was popular in Song China, and its use spread to Japan, where it was incorporated into the tea ceremony.</P>
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