Song Dynasty
China - Song Dynasty
In the history of Chinese ceramics, many wares reach their height of grandeur during the Song Dynasty. The five great wares of the Song Dynasty were the Ru, Guan, Ge, Ding and the Jun styles of ware. During the Northern Song Period, as much as we find white glazed, black glazed and brown glazed pottery, green glazed pottery still remained the most requested of the time. In the late 12th and early 13th centuries, we see thick glazed powder?green Celadon ware having developed as well.
Many porcelain kilns were built and porcelain schools founded during the Song Dynasty. Porcelain monochromes were perfected during this period. The now famous “crackled” pottery, a type of porcelain which first appeared during the Song Dynasty, was highly regarded. This crackled style of pottery became sought after by the collector and connoisseur alike. Schools around the world have always considered Song monochrome pottery among the finest styles of Chinese genius in porcelain making.
The Song Dynasty was considered by many as the most important Dynasty in Chinese porcelain history. There were thousands of kilns in operation at this time with the Ru Kiln, Jun Kiln, Guan Kiln, Ge Kiln and Ding Kiln being the five most famous kilns of the time. These kilns each specialized in their own expertise and each were known regionally for what they did best. In a word, the Song Dynasty porcelain production and techniques reached an unprecedented height.
The Song Period was a Period of renaissance. The Song Dynasty strengthened Confucianism as the State religion. Painting, literature, music and the other arts flourished. Oftentimes, wealth and power were renounced in favor of scholarly pursuits. As far back as the Song Dynasty, there are indications that tombs were already being raided. There is even documentation that a great deal of this tomb raiding was sponsored by the Royal Family themselves vying for the finest pieces available.