Colored glazes are a type of ceramic glaze that uses metal oxides as colorants. When fired under appropriate kiln conditions at specific temperatures, they produce distinctive, stable colors. These glazes are highly valued for their stain-resistant, non-absorbent properties and their vibrant, decorative appeal.
The evolution of colored glazes spans over two millennia—from the painted pottery of the Neolithic period to the proto-celadon of the Shang and Zhou dynasties. The invention of true porcelain during the Eastern Han Dynasty and the emergence of white glazes in the Northern and Southern Dynasties, followed by the renowned Tang Sancai (tri-colored glazed pottery) of the Tang Dynasty, laid a solid foundation for the development of colored glazes in the Song Dynasty and beyond.
By the Song Dynasty, renowned kilns flourished across China, producing an increasing variety of colored glazes. Celadon wares achieved the highest artistic accomplishments, and Jingdezhen’s shadow-blue (yingqing) porcelain quickly dominated production—not only in quantity but also in quality. Other notable glazes included:
- Ru Kiln (Henan): shrimp-green, tea-dust, sky-blue, and powder-blue glazes
- Longquan Kiln (Zhejiang): pea-green, crackled, and plum-green glazes
Jingdezhen not only produced yingqing porcelain but also began imitating Ru, Longquan, and official kiln wares. During this period, the Jun Kiln in Henan pioneered copper-red glazes, breaking celadon’s dominance in ceramic art. The advent of copper-red glazes was a milestone in global ceramic history, leading to stunning color variations such as:
- Chicken-blood red
- Begonia red
- Eggplant purple
These innovations inspired regional imitations, including:
- Guangjun glaze (Shiwan)
- Yijun glaze (Yixing)
By the Yuan Dynasty, new glazes like Yuan purple and Yuan red emerged, closely resembling Jun ware. Additionally, underglaze red (yuanlihong) techniques matured, and mirror-black (wujin) glaze, so reflective it could cast shadows, was developed.
The Ming and Qing Dynasties marked the pinnacle of ancient Chinese ceramics, with Jingdezhen synthesizing techniques from kilns nationwide. While blue-and-white porcelain dominated production, colored glazes also saw significant advancements. Notable achievements included:
- Sacrificial red glaze (high-temperature)
- “Yongle sweet white”—a masterpiece of artistry and craftsmanship
In the early Qing Dynasty, legendary glazes such as:
- Peachbloom (jiangdouhong)—the rarest and most challenging copper-red glaze, with unpredictable hues
- Langyao red (langyaohong)—a brilliant “gemstone red” prized for its vivid tone and difficulty in firing
Other innovations included:
- Rose pink (yanzhihong)
- Flambe glazes (yaobian)
- Tiger-stripe glazes
- Sanyang Kaitai (three-yang motif)
- Fahua three-color
- Poured-yellow three-color
The technical mastery and diversity of colored glazes reached near-perfection during this golden age of Chinese ceramics.
