Xikou and Yongquan Kiln Site Cluster

Xikou and Yongquan Kiln Site Cluster

The Xikou and Yongquan Kiln Site Cluster is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Xikou and Yongquan Kiln Site Cluster (Provincial-level Cultural Relics Protection Unit)

Era: Late Eastern Han Dynasty – Southern Dynasties

Announcement Date: December 12, 1989

The Xikou and Yongquan Kiln Site Cluster is located within the territories of Duqiao Town and Yongquan Town in Linhai City. In Duqiao Town, the sites include Aolikeng Kiln Site, Nianyukengkou Kiln Site, Anwangshan Kiln Site, and Suxia in Kaijing Village; in Yongquan Town, there is one site at Xixiao Kiln. On December 12, 1989, it was announced by the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province as part of the third batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units.

The location, Linhai, was established as a county relatively early. In the second year of the Shiyuan era of Emperor Zhao of the Western Han Dynasty (85 BC), Hui pu County was established in Zhang’an (now Zhang’an Town, Jiaojiang District). In the early Eastern Han Dynasty, Hui pu was renamed Zhang’an County. During the Three Kingdoms period, the Linhai Commandery was established, and until the Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties, the commandery seat remained in Zhang’an. Judging from the distribution of the kiln sites, their flourishing development was closely linked to Zhang’an, with the trend of development shifting inland along with the political center of Linhai—from the lower reaches of the Ling River to its upper reaches.

The artifacts from Aolikeng Kiln Site mainly include bowls, jars, ? , vats, and bells. The glaze color is bluish with a yellowish tint. Kiln furniture often features three-legged supports (commonly known as three-legged “Yana,” with some bottoms stamped with the character “金”) and hoof-shaped notched forms. The firing period began in the Eastern Han Dynasty and ended in the Three Kingdoms period. This kiln site was first discovered in May 1981, surveyed and registered during the cultural relics census in June 1983, and announced as a municipal-level key cultural relics protection unit in October 1986.

The artifacts from Nianyukengkou Kiln Site mainly include bowls, bowls with handles, jars, ? , vats, plates, plate-mouthed pots, and bottles. Kiln furniture commonly includes hoof-shaped notched forms and bamboo-joint-shaped notched forms. This site is slightly later than Aolikeng Kiln, dating from the late Eastern Han Dynasty to the Western Jin Dynasty. This kiln site was only discovered during the recheck of the cultural relics census in 1984.

The artifacts from Anwangshan Kiln Site have styles relatively similar to those of the Nianyukengkou Kiln, but with fewer types, predominantly bowls, bowls with handles, and jars. Therefore, this kiln is slightly later in time, dating from the Western Jin Dynasty to the Eastern Jin Dynasty. This kiln site was discovered in May 1981 and registered during the 1983 cultural relics census.

The artifacts from Xixiao Kiln Site mostly consist of bowls and jars. Aside from a few items that still retain characteristics of the Nianyukengkou Kiln and Anwangshan Kiln products, many pieces show significant changes in form, featuring false ring feet, indicating innovations in firing techniques. The firing period of this kiln dates from the late Western Jin Dynasty to the Southern Dynasties. This kiln site was registered during the 1983 cultural relics census.

Source: Zhejiang Cultural Relics Website

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units