The Jian Kiln was well-known for its black glaze porcelain in the Song Dynasty. Its name came from the location in Jianyang, Fujian Province. In the ancient books the Jian porcelain was called the Black Jian or Purple Jian. It Japan it was also called Tianmu (Tenmoku).

In the Song Dynasty the tea competition was a popular game. The black surfaced porcelains were welcome because it would show the white bubbles on the tea very well. The best of black glaze was called the Rabbit-hair Pattern. There were many needle-like bright patterns on the glaze, resembling the hair of the rabbit. When pouring in the tea soup, the rabbit hair would be shining in the bowl. Even the Emperor Huizong in the Song Dynasty reckoned that the Rabbit-hair Jian porcelain was the best tea equipment. However, the Rabbit-hair pattern was cause by the condition of the furnace and could not be controlled well. In order to get a Rabbit-hair tea cup the workers needed a little good luck besides their good skills. Even in the Song Dynasty the Rabbit-hair was very rare and valuable. Today, one Rabbit-hair porcelain will be a great treasure for the collectors.

The Jian kiln was a nongovernmental kiln. However, in order to supply the best vessels to the court, the built up special kiln for the government service only. In these kilns the workers made the best porcelains such as bowls and cups with thicker and stronger roughcast and a pure black or dark purple glaze.


 

Background Knowledge: History of China

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