Shufu ware

Shufu ware (书府瓷) refers to a group of white and pale bluish-white glazed stonewares attributed primarily to kiln sites in Sichuan and Yunnan during the Yuan period (1271–1368). The ware is named after molded or impressed marks reading “Shufu” (书府), interpreted in scholarship as references to palace or administrative offices during the Yuan dynasty. Shufu ware represents a transitional stage in the development of high-fired white and bluish-white ceramics in southwestern China, contemporaneous with but distinct from Jingdezhen porcelain production.

Historical and Geographic Context

Shufu ware developed within regional kiln systems of southwestern China, where high-quality kaolinitic clay sources supported the production of high-fired stonewares. During the Yuan period, Sichuan and Yunnan served as important cultural and administrative zones under Mongol governance, with established Buddhist monastic networks and local elite patronage. Shufu ware appears in both monastic supply assemblages and secular contexts, suggesting distribution across multiple social environments.

While the term “Shufu” has been historically associated with court usage, there is no firm evidence that these wares functioned as direct imperial commissions. Rather, the designation appears to reflect administrative or workshop identification rather than imperial exclusivity.

Kiln Sites and Archaeological Findings

Archaeological excavations have identified kiln complexes associated with Shufu ware production in:

Kiln Region	Present-day Location	Notes
Jialing River region kilns	Northern Sichuan	Likely primary production center; excavations reveal saggers, kiln furniture, and characteristic wasters
Yunnan highland kilns	Yunnan Province	Secondary production sites; glaze and body composition similar, indicating shared technical lineage

Dragon kilns constructed on sloped terrain were used, with evidence of multiple firing chambers and extended firing runs.

Materials and Technical Characteristics

Body: Dense, fine-grained stoneware, gray to buff in cross-section. Body composition is transitional between earlier stoneware and later porcelain, with partial vitrification.

Glaze: Matte to semi-translucent white or pale bluish-white glaze. Slight bluish tint results from trace iron oxidation-reduction dynamics and glaze thickness.

Firing Conditions:

Approx. 1200–1280°C
Moderately reducing atmosphere
Slow cooling to stabilize glaze surface

Shufu wares are distinct from Jingdezhen **qingbai** in glaze surface quality: Shufu glazes are less glassy and display softer, more diffuse tonality.

Marks and Identification

The “Shufu” inscription appears as:

Molded or impressed marks on the inner wall or base
Typically written in regular script (楷书)
Sometimes incomplete or partially blurred due to glaze pooling

Not all Shufu-type wares bear inscriptions. Attribution is determined through body composition, glaze characteristics, and form typology.

Form Typology

Characteristic forms include:

Bowls with straight or slightly flared walls, often plain
Dishes with low, broad profiles
Small jars and containers with restrained silhouette
Covered boxes used in writing and storage contexts

Forms favor structural clarity and minimal surface articulation. Decoration, when present, consists of:

Very shallow carved floral or geometric motifs
Molded medallions
Occasional impressed seals

Distribution and Circulation

Shufu ware circulated primarily within:

Southwestern administrative centers
Monastic communities
Regional trade networks extending into Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou

It is occasionally present in burial assemblages, indicating both practical and symbolic use.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Shufu ware is significant for:

Representing the southwestern counterpart to contemporaneous **Jingdezhen qingbai** and early blue-and-white development
Demonstrating **regional variation within Yuan high-fired white ware traditions**
Documenting local workshop organization and material preferences under Mongol governance
Providing a transitional stage in **the evolution of southern white and pale celadon aesthetics**

In museum classification, Shufu ware stabilizes the understanding of **regional high-fired white ceramics** outside the Jingdezhen-centered narrative.

Related Pages

References

Li Zhiyan et al., eds. Yuan Dynasty Regional Kiln Systems. Chinese Academy of Arts.
Medley, Margaret. The Chinese Potter: A Practical History of Chinese Ceramics.
Wood, Nigel. Chinese Glazes: Their Origins, Chemistry and Re-creation.
Kerr, Rose. Chinese Ceramics. Victoria and Albert Museum.