NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY (960–1127)

Following the unification of China under Emperor Emperor Taizu (reign 960–976), the Northern Song imperial dynasty was marked by a flourishing economy and culture. Dongjing (now Kaifeng, Henan province) was made the capital. One sector which especially thrived here was ceramic production and trading. The most well-known type of celadon or greenware from this period is represented in the collections of the Museum of West Bohemia in Pilsen. The manufacture of celadon is known from as early as the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 CE), but it became especially popular during the Tang dynasty (618–907), when the objects were left undecorated or had incised ornamentation under the glaze. The production of ceramics with celadon glaze continued during the Northern Song dynasty (in Yaozhou, Shaanxi province), with decorations impressed, incised, or carved under the glaze. (JMl)