Longquan celadon reached its peak in the Song Dynasty; the celadon productions began to spread from daily necessities to calligraphy materials and the figures of auspicious animals were widely engraved on celadons as decorative patterns. Over time the supply of celadons fell short of demand from domestic and overseas consumers. Lotus-shaped bowls and plates, phoenix ear-shaped bottles, hornless dragon ear-shaped bottles and incense burners were the treasures of that time.
Flourished in Yuan Dynasty
Owing to the open policy on foreign trade advocated by the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) the scale of celadon production was increasingly expanded; according to records, there had been 350 kilns in Longquan at that time. Besides traditional shapes, lotus leaf-shaped pots, phoenix tail-shaped bottles and goblets emerged as creative varieties. Some official kilns began to produce celadon wares for the royal court but their qualities were not as good as that of Southern Song Dynasty. With thinner coating, their colors were turning into pea green but more shining than before. Appliqué, stipple and enchasing were the main decoration techniques of that period.
The rulers of the Yuan Dynasty loved celadon very much, since they were nomadic tribes that came from the northern grassland, the green-colored celadon reminded them of homeland.
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