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Yue ware

Chinese pottery
Also known as: Yüeh ware, Yue yao

Quick Summary

Yue ware is a type of Chinese pottery that originated in the Zhejiang province, formerly known as Yue, during the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). While the earliest production of Yue ware occurred during the Han dynasty, most surviving examples date from the Six Dynasties period (220–589 CE).1

This ware is characterized by its stoneware body and an olive or brownish-green glaze, placing it within the family of celadons. The distinctive color of Yue ware glazes resulted from a slip wash rich in iron, applied before glazing. During firing, the iron reacted with the glaze, imparting its characteristic hue. Yue ware kilns in Zhejiang produced hard stoneware, often imitating the shapes of bronze vessels and featuring impressed, bronzelike designs beneath a thin olive glaze.1

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