Jizhou ware
Jizhou ware (吉州窑) refers to the black and dark-glazed stonewares produced primarily in the Jizhou region of western Jiangxi Province during the Song and Yuan periods. Jizhou wares are characterized by iron-rich glazes, pattern-resist decoration, and experimental surface effects achieved through layered glaze application and controlled firing.
Historical Context
The Jizhou kilns developed alongside regional Song ceramic production and supplied both local and broader commercial markets. Unlike court-centered kilns, Jizhou workshops operated within a commercial framework, responding to aesthetic preferences associated with scholar and monastery environments. Production continued into the Yuan period, with gradual diversification of decorative techniques.
Kiln Sites
| Kiln Group | Location (Modern) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jizhou kilns (吉州窑) | Ji’an region, Jiangxi Province | Primary production area; excavations recovered kiln structures, wasters, and pattern-resist fragments |
Dragon kilns were used, featuring sloped construction suited to sustained high-temperature firing.
Materials and Technical Characteristics
Bodies are high-fired stonewares with dense, gray to gray-brown cross-sections.
Glazes are iron-based and typically produce:
- Deep black or brown-black surfaces
- Layered visual effects resulting from glaze flow and cooling
- Pattern-resist areas where decorative layers prevent uniform glaze coverage
Firing temperatures range from 1200–1250°C in controlled reduction-to-oxidation environments.
Decorative Systems
Characteristic decorative methods include:
- Paper-cut resist: Paper motifs applied and burned away during firing, leaving silhouettes.
- Wax-resist patterns: Melted resist repels glaze, producing negative-space ornament.
- Tortoiseshell glaze (玳瑁釉): Layered glazes creating mottled brown-gold patterns through controlled crystallization.
- Brush-applied iron decoration: Simple linear patterns beneath glaze.
Decoration emphasizes surface optical effect over figurative imagery.
Forms
Jizhou forms primarily served tea and everyday domestic use:
- Conical tea bowls
- Round-shouldered jars
- Small bottles and pouring forms
- Covered boxes
Profiles are structurally simple, supporting glaze as the principal visual element.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Jizhou ware represents:
- A major commercial ceramic tradition of the Song and Yuan periods
- Technical exploration of glaze flow, resist patterning, and surface modulation
- A distinct aesthetic parallel to Jian ware without dependency on court or Zen transmission
Jizhou contributes to understanding regional workshop autonomy and the diversity of tea-related material culture in southern China.
Related Pages
References
- Kerr, Rose. Chinese Ceramics. Victoria and Albert Museum.
- Medley, Margaret. The Chinese Potter: A Practical History of Chinese Ceramics.
- Li Zhiyan et al., eds. Song-Yuan Kilns of Jiangxi. Chinese Academy of Arts.
