Song porcelain

Timeline

1. 960–1000Northern kilns such as Ding and Cizhou · HebeiThe Northern Song built on the Five Dynasties porcelain base, expanding output at kilns such as Ding white ware and Yaozhou celadon. Carving, molding and inverted firing techniques improved, and porcelain shifted from exclusive supply to the nobility toward wider market circulation.
2. 1021–1030Ru kiln site (Qingliang Temple) · HenanUnder Zhenzong and Renzong, court demand for fine porcelain grew and famous kilns everywhere competed to present tribute. Ru sky-blue glaze and carved Ding white ware represent Song aesthetics — restrained and elegant, attentive to glaze color and body quality — establishing the aesthetic paradigm of Song porcelain.
3. 1086–1127Bianjing official kiln · HenanUnder Huizong, official kilns were set up to fire imperial porcelain, forming a multi-tiered production system alongside folk kilns such as Ru and Jun. Craft features like crackle patterns and purple mouths with iron feet became important criteria for identifying Song porcelain in later ages.
4. 1127–1279Lin'an official kiln and Longquan kiln · ZhejiangAfter the southern crossing the official kiln moved to Lin'an, and Longquan celadon was exported on a large scale. Southern Song porcelain continued Northern Song aesthetic traditions and developed glaze colors such as powder blue and plum green, spreading via the maritime Silk Road to Southeast Asia and the Middle East.