Boshan Artistic Ceramics

Boshan Artistic Ceramics

　　Boshan, an old county name located in the central part of Shandong Province on the northern edge of the Taiyi Mountain Range, was abolished as a county in 1958 and incorporated into Zibo City. Historical evidence shows that glazed ceramics began to be fired during the Han Dynasty. By the Song Dynasty, the production of the precious "oil spot glaze" and "tea dust glaze" had begun. In the late Ming Dynasty, white-glazed ceramics were successfully developed. The art of Boshan artistic ceramics flourished further in the Qing Dynasty, with an increase in kilns and expansion in scale, leading to the production of fine daily-use porcelain. The traditionally distinctive "oil spot glaze" and "tea dust glaze" are still considered treasures in the international market. The most famous of Boshan’s artistic ceramics, the "oil spot glaze," historically referred to as "oil droplets," gets its name from the tiny, glistening silver spots on a jet-black glaze surface. These spots are as small as grains of rice and resemble twinkling stars in the night sky. It was once said, “A vase an inch tall or a cup a foot wide is regarded as the finest of treasures; a teacup or wine glass is hailed as an unparalleled gem.” The "oil spot glaze" is called "tenmoku glaze" in Japan. Teaware with this glaze is considered a premium item in Japanese tea ceremonies. Another prized glaze is the "tea dust glaze," which gets its name from its grayish-green hue that resembles the color of tea leaves. It is an unglazed type of ceramic containing crystalline minerals, with a glaze surface covered in star-like speckles resembling tea dust—soft, elegant, and classic in style.