Huangdao ware dish

From Henan province, northern China
Song dynasty (AD 960-1279)

Glazed black ware dish with splash

This dish was probably made at Lushan in Henan province. It is made of stoneware and was fired to a high temperature. Eighth- and ninth-century wares from this region are distinguished in many cases by blue or grey and white splashes. These pieces did not merit the attention of connoisseurs, nor do they seem to have been exported. However, they are an integral part of the northern tradition of strong blackwares.

It is interesting to consider these ceramics as the predecessors of Jun wares, which were sometimes decorated by splashing. Jun wares were from the same area in Henan province. They are counted among the 'five great wares' of the Song period (AD 960-1279).

M. Medley, The Chinese potter: a practica (Phaidon Press Limited, 1989)

S.J. Vainker, Chinese pottery and porcelain, (London, The British Museum Press, 1991)