Notes:
The Jepara wreck was discovered just north of the Central Javan coast after local fishermen discovered ceramic shards in the area, which were analysed and found to be Song porcelain. Though very little of the wreck itself remained, the following excavations by a salvage team in 1998 unearthed over 10,000 ceramic pieces along with other artefacts including ‘jianyan’ inscribed coins dateable to the reign of Emperor Gaozong (r.1127-1162), the tenth emperor of the Song dynasty and first of the Southern Song.
Ceramic goods appear to have made up a significant proportion of the cargo, and included large quantities of celadon dishes, kendi and other tableware for daily use made at kilns in Fujian Province on China’s Southeast coast. During the Song/Yuan period, the port at Quanzhou, Fujian was the largest export hub for ceramics in China. According to the Song historian Zhao Rukuo, writing in 1225, celadon, qingbai and iron-rich black and brown wares from surrounding kilns were exported to as many as 46 Asian destinations. Records indicate that Jepara was situated on a major maritime trading route, but it is unclear whether the port there was the intended destination of this particular ship, or whether it sank en route to elsewhere in Indonesia or the Philippines.
Celadon bowls of this type, with simple incised or combed decoration are typical of the wares produced specifically for overseas export at Fujian kilns such as Tong’an and those at the Nan’an complex. Though celadon production had been centred around Longquan during the Northern Song (960-1127), production of Longquan-style celadons was adopted and continued by the nearby Fujian kilns throughout the Southern Song (1127-1279). The number of kendi found at the wreckage site indicates the extent to which these kilns purposefully tailored production to the tastes and requirements of foreign markets.
Celadon Ware
Celadon refers to a range of Chinese stoneware and porcelain, as well as green-glazed ceramics from other countries like Korea and Japan. It is an imprecise term, used to describe various green-glazed ceramics but does not encompass all green-glazed wares. For example, certain ceramics like Green Jun and Ge Ware have green glazes but are not classified as celadon. To address this ambiguity, some have proposed using "Green Ware" as a broader term, but "Celadon" remains more familiar and widely recognized.
Etymology The origin of the term "Celadon" is debated:
Literary Connection: It may derive from the 17th-century French pastoral romance L’Astrée by Honoré d’Urfé, where the character Céladon wore pale green ribbons. Historical Connection: It could be linked to Saladin, the Ayyubid Sultan, who reportedly sent green-glazed ceramics to Nur ad-Din, Sultan of Syria, in 1171. Linguistic Roots: Another theory suggests it comes from the Sanskrit words sila (stone) and dhara (green). Historical Origins and Production Celadon ware originated in Zhejiang Province during the Eastern Han Dynasty, though green-glazed stoneware predates this period. The most renowned celadons, the Longquan Celadons, were also produced in Zhejiang. Additionally, celadon production spread to Jiangsu, Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangxi provinces.
Technical Details Glazing Process: Celadon ware is made using a reducing atmosphere at a kiln temperature of about 1300°C. Coloring Agents: A mixture of iron oxide and titanium gives the characteristic green hue. Texture and Appearance: The glaze, applied thickly, contains tiny bubbles that diffuse light, creating a soft, rich appearance. Celadon’s enduring beauty and craftsmanship have cemented its place as a significant cultural and artistic achievement, influencing ceramics across Asia and beyond.
