Ru ware
Ru ware (汝瓷) refers to the fine, celadon-glazed stonewares produced during the late Northern Song period at kilns located in present-day Ruzhou, Henan Province. Ru ware is closely associated with imperial use and represents one of the most highly valued ceramic types in the history of Chinese material culture. It is distinguished by its subtle bluish-green glaze, fine and compact clay body, and controlled surface texture.
Historical Context
Ru ware emerged during the late Northern Song period (960–1127), when the court in Kaifeng commissioned vessels that aligned with aesthetic values emphasizing restraint, tonal harmony, and precise control of form. Historical sources, including later chronicles, associate Ru ware with imperial preference and restricted distribution. The kilns operated for a relatively short duration and on a limited scale, contributing to the rarity of surviving examples.
After the fall of the Northern Song capital in 1127, production at the Ru kiln sites declined, and the tradition did not continue into the Southern Song period. This temporal specificity is central to the classification and dating of Ru ware in museum and archaeological scholarship.
Materials and Technical Characteristics
Ru ware bodies are composed of a dense, fine-textured stoneware fabric with minimal inclusions. The glaze, typically described as blue-green (青) or pale celadon, contains iron compounds that develop color under controlled reduction firing.
Key technical attributes:
- Firing temperature: generally 1200–1250°C
- Reduction atmosphere producing soft, even glaze tone
- Thick glaze application that creates slight pooling and meniscus at edges
- Crackle patterns (开片) may occur naturally through glaze-cooling contraction, varying from fine networks to wider crack structures
The glaze surface is intentionally soft and matte to semi-gloss, avoiding strong reflectivity. The appearance is often described as “like the sky after rain” in later historical literature, though such descriptive language is not contemporaneous to the period of production.
Forms and Surface Treatment
Ru ware forms include:
- Shallow and deep bowls with rounded profiles
- Dishes with straight or gently upturned rims
- Small trays
- Water droppers and brush washers for scholarly use
- Covered vessels and small ritual forms
Decoration is minimal. Most pieces are undecorated, allowing glaze quality and vessel profile to define visual character. When present, decoration is extremely restrained, such as slight lobing or subtle rim modulation.
Kiln Sites
| Kiln | Location (Modern) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ru kilns (汝窑) | Ruzhou, Henan Province | Primary kiln complex associated with Northern Song imperial use; archaeological finds include saggers, kiln furniture, and wasters confirming site attribution |
Excavations have also identified related kiln activity in surrounding areas, but the core production zone remains recognized in Ruzhou.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Ru ware holds a central position in the historiography of Chinese ceramics for:
- Its association with Northern Song court patronage
- Its concise production period and limited surviving corpus
- Its influence on subsequent monochrome-glaze aesthetics in both imperial and literati contexts
Ru ware forms a critical component of the standard grouping known as the “Five Great Kilns” (五大名窑), along with Ding, Guan, Ge, and Jun wares. In museum practice, Ru ware often functions as a reference point for evaluating glaze refinement, vessel proportion, and the articulation of Song-period aesthetic principles.
Related Pages
References
- Li Zhiyan et al., ed. Ru Ware of the Northern Song Dynasty. Chinese Academy of Arts.
- Medley, Margaret. The Chinese Potter: A Practical History of Chinese Ceramics.
- Kerr, Rose. Chinese Ceramics. Victoria and Albert Museum.
