Celadon
DEFINITION
A soft ceramic glaze with iron content, it is created by reduction through fire whereby red iron oxide is reduced to black. Resulting colors include olive green, gray-green or gray. Celadon Ware is associated with the Sung Dynasty in China and valued for its resemblance to jade. Many westerners find it highly collectible. Source: Ralph Mayer, "A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques" <br><br>A ceramic glaze containing iron. It must be fired by the reduction method, with its red iron oxide (ferric) reduced to black (ferroso-ferric). The final color of the glaze is either olive green, gray-green, or gray. Celadon ware was developed and perfected during the prosperous Sung [or Song] dynasty (960-1279). It was valued by the Chinese largely because of its resemblance to jade.(pr. SE-lə-dahn)Examples: China, Zhejiang province, probably the vicinity of Shanglinhu, Bowl, Five Dynasties period (907-960), 10th century, stoneware with carved and incised design under celadon glaze (Yue ware), height 4 3/8 inches, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY.The pigment known as celadon green is also called green earth, the main ingredient of which is celadonite, an iron silicate. Chinese and Korean celadon porcelain was named for the resemblance of its color to this pigment. The word originated as the name of a character in the 1610 story by Frenchman Honor? d'Urf?, L'Astr?e.Also see Chinese art and Korean art.