Enthusiasts have long reverred the elegant slim shape and heavenly, bluish-green surface of the Song dynasty Longquan wares, as well as the increase-sized, thick and energetic Yuan dynasty wares. Our exhibition specializes in the Ming dynasty Longquan ceramics: their usage in court, affection by the literati, and distinctive function in tributary and trade relations between the empire and other nations.

Among the Ming Dynasty Longquan kiln porcelain, those with sleek, vibrant, green glazing in yellow or milky tones received the most interest. They generally in the neat shape and fully carved with intricate patterns, which were similar to those of Jingdezhen official wares, clear signs of painstaking and superb artistry. Nonetheless the importance of the Ming Dynasty celadon was little known. Only lately did archaeologists uncover the kilns site in Longquan's Dayao location with dated shards of styles discovered. The breakthrough revealed historical paperwork documenting Longquan kilns once as provider for and monitored by the early Ming Dynasty court. After the mid-Ming period, Longquan wares deteriorated in quality; as glazes developed translucent and slim, the carving grew to become rough. Nevertheless, the Longquan kilns continued to be an significant site beyond the Jingdezhen, offering wares for display in the residences.

Longquan wares were also an important commodities central to the Ming court's command over foreign business and tributary relations. Even today, traces of Ming dynasty Longquan wares often appear in archaeological sites and court collections in Asia, Africa, and Europe. They also empowered the formation of numerous ceramics industries outside China. We can therefore conclude that Longquan celadon have got a grace that is globally known.

The colour of celadon comes from natural iron oxide in the glazing, which provides the green hue when fired in a decreasing atmosphere kiln. By the tenth millennium, artisans in Longquan County and the neighboring area of southwestern Zhejiang were already making celadon. The quality and quantity of Longquan celadon reached their peak during the Southern Song (1127-1279) and Yuan dynasties (1271-1368). The Song wares drastically highly valued with simple forms and heavenly bluish-green glazes without crackle. However, Yuan wares are large, thick with dense greenish color and vigorous decor. Traditionally, the mugwort green of the Yue ware, the sky blue of the Ru ware, the olive green of the Yaozhou ware, and the pale bluish-green crackled glaze of the Song Guan-official ware have all loved famous reputations. Inspite of these rivals, the Longquan wares have gained great praise due to their incomparable aesthetic.

When international envoys appeared in the Ming court to pay tribute, they obtained many items as kinds of pay back. This gave rise to the unique event of using governmental associations of tribute and rewards to carryout international trade. Ceramics were among the most coveted items as a reward. Some nations stated that that they highly valued ceramics more than top quality silks. Some nations' envoys even journeyed to the Longquan area in an effort to decide to buy ceramic wares immediately and re-sell them in other areas. Longquan wares have also been discovered among goods retrieved from submerged ships, further demonstrating their popularity during this period. Many nations also begun to mimic the ceramic wares of the Longquan kiln, adding local traits to ornament their industry's wares.