Comparative microstructural study of celadon excavated from Housi’ ao kiln site in China (Late Tang and Five Dynasties): Mi-se porcelain and ordinary Yue celadon

Abstract

Mi-se porcelain provided a step change in the history of Chinese porcelain making and influenced kiln production of later generations as well as the aesthetic orientation of society. This work compares the microstructure of ordinary Yue celadon and Mi-se porcelain. The Mi-se porcelain glaze was found to be simpler and more uniform than ordinary Yue celadon, with only some bubbles existing in the glaze. Compared with ordinary Yue celadon, the residual quartz and pores in the Mi-se porcelain body were smaller. Mi-se porcelain production is more standardized than ordinary Yue celadon. The presence of calcium phosphate in the glaze indicates that grass wood ash was used in the Yue kiln. Our research confirms that Mi-se porcelain was not the best porcelain as selected from the Yue kiln products, but it is a type of celadon that was specially fired using fine raw material processing and certain firing techniques.