globe Atlas of Heritage
Civilization Object No. 021
Home / Atlas / traditional crafts

Longquan Celadon

龙泉青瓷

Jade-green ceramics from Zhejiang, treasured for over 1,600 years as one of China's most celebrated contributions to global ceramic art.

dna Heritage DNA
history Origin

Eastern Jin Dynasty (317–420 CE)

category Domain

traditional crafts

verified Level

UNESCO Intangible Heritage

pin_drop Region

East China

pulse Status

active

person Key Masters
person

Xu Chaoyun

national

arrow_forward

Longquan celadon is a type of green-glazed ceramic produced in Longquan, Zhejiang Province, for over 1,600 years. Renowned for its jade-like glaze colors — ranging from pale "powder green" to deep "plum green" — Longquan celadon was exported across Asia, Africa, and Europe via the Maritime Silk Road. The craftsmanship involves careful clay preparation, wheel throwing, and precise glaze formulation. The iconic "seaweed green" and "plum green" glazes are celebrated worldwide.

auto_stories

Stories & Legends

Wood and Earth: The Magic of Longquan Celadon

historical

Chinese potters chased the color of jade for a thousand years.

build

Skills & Techniques

Longquan Celadon Glazing expand_more

The technique of applying the distinctive jade-green glaze to celadon ceramics, using iron oxide and precise kiln atmosphere control.

Steps

  1. Prepare the clay body from locally sourced porcelain stone
  2. Shape the vessel on a potter's wheel or by hand molding
  3. Dry to leather-hard state and trim excess clay
  4. Apply the first layer of iron-bearing glaze by dipping or pouring
  5. Allow glaze to dry and apply second coat
  6. Fire in a reduction kiln at 1250–1300°C to achieve jade-green color

Tools

potter's wheel, trimming tools, glaze bucket, kiln, pyrometer

Materials

porcelain stone, iron oxide, wood ash, feldspar, quartz

hub Knowledge Graph

Relationship Constellation

This heritage item connects to 11 entities across the atlas — masters, places, festivals, and stories.

person Xu Chaoyun inheritor pin_drop Hangzhou location build Longquan Celadon Glazing skill person Longquan Celadon Vase media person Jin Dynasty dynasty auto_stories Wood and Earth: The Magic of Longquan Celadon story person Jiangnan region person Longquan Celadon Vase media person Dongyang Wood Carving ich person Jingdezhen Porcelain ich
explore Navigation

Continue the Journey

Explore more heritage items across the atlas.

arrow_back Previous

Shu Embroidery

A 2,000-year-old embroidery style from Sichuan, known for its smooth stitches, vibrant colors, and photo-realistic silk compositions.
Next arrow_forward

Cloisonné Enamel

A brilliant enameling technique from the Ming Dynasty, creating intricate patterns with metal wires and colored glass paste.