biseyao

pottery

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July 23, 2026

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Biseyao refers to a type of fine celadon pottery produced in China during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907–978 CE). These wares, characterized by a pale olive-green glaze with carved decoration, were sent to the court of Li Yu, ruler of the Wuyue kingdom, and later as tribute to the Song dynasty court. The name biseyao translates to "secret" or "reserve color ware," possibly indicating a secret production process or that the ware was exclusively for the court. While the northern pottery industry suffered during this period, the south saw significant growth, with kilns at Shanglin Lake in Zhejiang being a major center for this exquisite celadon.1

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Chinese pottery
The Five Dynasties (907–960) and Ten Kingdoms (902–978)
…pale olive-green glaze, were called biseyao (“secret,” or “reserve, colour ware”) by 10th-century writers. It is not known whether this referred to a secret process or to the fact that the ware was reserved for the court.
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…pale olive-green glaze, were called biseyao (“secret,” or “reserve, colour ware”) by 10th-century writers. It is not known whether this referred to a secret process or to the fact that the ware was reserved for the court.
Read More