The situation declined further in the Qing Dynasty when there were only 70 kilns left in China and most their productions were coarse.
Winnig praise from foreign countries
Longquan celadon was not only popular in ancient China, but also exported to many other countries and regions in Asia, Africa and Europe since the Song Dynasty.
In the reign of Emperor kangxi, the longquan celadon perhaps reached its peak in terms of popularity and production. Longquan celadons were firstly exported to France by a French commercial ship and the Frenchmen were attracted by their jade-like color and exquisite beauty. Amazed by such elegant artworks, the Frenchmen called it “celadon”, the name of the hero of the French writer Honore Urfe's romance L' Astree (1610) the lover of the heroine Astree. He represented a young man in a green cloak, the same color of Longquan celadon. The name spread to other countries and became the luxury item of the upper classes.
By Feng Hui
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