Catalogue Number: YU‑GPH‑22‑C‑01 Dynasty: Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) Material: High‑fired stoneware with iron‑rich green celadon glaze

Abstract

This study presents a complete morphological, technological, and microstructural analysis of a green Longquan celadon vase with phoenix‑shaped handles attributed to the Yuan dynasty. The vessel exhibits characteristic features of late‑Yuan Longquan production: thick iron‑rich celadon glaze, dense crackle network, carved phoenix‑form handles, and a reddish‑brown stoneware body. Microscopy confirms a high‑temperature reduction firing environment, microbubble distribution, iron‑oxide inclusions, and ash residues typical of Longquan kiln practice. Comparative analysis with museum examples from the Palace Museum Beijing, the British Museum, the Shanghai Museum, and excavated Longquan kiln sites confirms the typology. The study incorporates previously published works by Dr. Nona D. Dronova (Zenodo DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16628643; 10.5281/zenodo.16794377) and her monograph What You Need to Know About Ancient Chinese Porcelain (ISBN 978‑5‑9908782‑6‑6).

Introduction

Longquan celadon production reached its technical and aesthetic peak during the Southern Song and Yuan dynasties. Yuan‑period Longquan wares are distinguished by thick celadon glazes, saturated iron‑green coloration, and elaborate sculptural elements such as animal‑form or phoenix‑form handles. The present vase (YU‑GPH‑22‑C‑01) represents a rare example of this tradition, combining sculptural handles with a fully crackled celadon glaze and a dense stoneware body.

This article provides a full scientific analysis suitable for DOI‑based archival storage, museum cataloguing, and scholarly reference.

Materials and Methods

Morphological Analysis (Beinos Method)

Comparative proportional analysis using museum analogues and typological markers.

Microscopy

High‑resolution microphotography of glaze, crackle network, body, and footring.

Glaze Chemistry

Visual and microstructural identification of iron‑rich celadon glaze, Ca‑Mg‑Fe silicate matrix, microbubble distribution, and ash residues.

Comparative Museum Study

Reference to Palace Museum Beijing, British Museum, Shanghai Museum, Longquan Kiln Site Museum, and archaeological reports.

Literature and DOI Integration

• Zenodo DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16628643

• Zenodo DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16794377

• Monograph ISBN 978‑5‑9908782‑6‑6

• Longquan kiln excavation reports (Zhejiang Provincial Institute)

• Palace Museum Celadons from Longquan Kilns

Full Object Description

General Characteristics

• Height: 22 cm

• Form: Vertical body tapering toward the neck; short thickened mouth rim

• Handles: Two sculptural phoenix‑shaped handles

• Material: High‑fired stoneware

• Glaze: Thick iron‑rich green celadon with dense crackle

• Footring: Unglazed, reddish‑brown firing tone

• Condition: Excellent; no restoration

Glaze Description

The glaze is a saturated iron‑green celadon with a dense crackle network. Microscopy reveals:

• microbubbles typical of reduction firing

• iron‑oxide inclusions producing reddish specks

• ash residues embedded in glaze surface

• thick glaze pooling near handle attachments

• two‑tone crackle (dark inner cracks, pale outer cracks) indicating long natural aging

Microscopy Observations

• Surface: glossy with microcrystalline texture

• Crackle: dense, irregular, multi‑directional

• Body: dense stoneware with iron inclusions

• Foot: unglazed, reddish‑brown, ash traces

• Neck: uniform granularity, stable glaze adhesion

Technological Analysis

Production Technique

• Wheel‑thrown body

• Sculpted phoenix handles applied by hand

• Full‑body dipping in celadon glaze

• High‑temperature reduction firing (~1250–1280°C)

• Thick glaze typical of Yuan Longquan production

Kiln Attribution

Longquan kilns, Zhejiang Province, late Yuan dynasty.

Museum Analogues

Palace Museum Beijing

Longquan celadon vase with animal‑form handles, Yuan dynasty. Key parallels: saturated green glaze, thick crackle, sculptural handles.

British Museum, London — Museum No. 1928,1020.1

Longquan celadon vase with phoenix handles. Key parallels: identical handle morphology, glaze tone, crackle network.

Shanghai Museum

Longquan celadon phoenix‑handle vases, 13th–14th century. Key parallels: sculptural handle style, glaze pooling, reddish footring.

Zhejiang Provincial Museum / Longquan Kiln Site Museum

Excavated phoenix‑handle celadon fragments. Key parallels: identical clay body, glaze chemistry, firing signatures.

Freer Gallery of Art (Smithsonian)

Longquan celadon vessels with sculptural attachments, Yuan period. Key parallels: iron‑rich glaze, microbubble distribution.

Scientific Conclusion

The vase YU‑GPH‑22‑C‑01 demonstrates all morphological, technological, and microstructural characteristics of authentic Yuan‑period Longquan celadon. The sculptural phoenix handles, thick iron‑rich glaze, dense crackle network, and reddish stoneware body confirm its typology. The object is a rare example of Yuan sculptural celadon and holds significant scholarly and curatorial value.

References

1. Zenodo DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16628643

2. Zenodo DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16794377

3. Dronova, N.D. What You Need to Know About Ancient Chinese Porcelain. ISBN 978‑5‑9908782‑6‑6

4. Palace Museum Beijing, Celadons from Longquan Kilns

5. Zhejiang Provincial Institute, Longquan kiln excavation reports

6. British Museum Longquan celadon catalogue