Tiedian Kiln Site

Tiedian Kiln Site

The Tiedian Kiln Site is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Tiedian Kiln Site is located in Tiedian Village, Langya Town, Jinhua County, Zhejiang Province, as well as on the surrounding hillsides. It dates from the Northern Song Dynasty (960 AD) to the Yuan Dynasty (1271 AD).

The Tiedian Kiln produced a variety of ceramics including celadon-glazed and opaque-glazed wares, with the latter being the main type. Opaque-glazed ceramics are the most characteristic products of the Tiedian Kiln. In addition to everyday items such as bowls and plates, the range includes three-legged drum-patterned washbasins, tripod censers, and flowerpots. Opaque glaze is a type of two-phase separation glaze. After firing, it appears in sky blue, azure, or moonlight white tones, all with an elegant, silky blue sheen reminiscent of cocoon silk, without any copper-red splashes. The artistic effect is quite refined. The decorative motifs on the ware are mostly plain.

The opaque-glazed ceramics of the Tiedian Kiln are distinctly different from those of the same period in northern China, showcasing strong local characteristics. Among them, the opaque-glazed wares produced during the Yuan Dynasty were once exported overseas.

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units