Posted 2017/3/6
Apart from popular blue-and-white porcelain, Jingdezhen kiln in Jiangxi Province, one of the most famous porcelain makers, also produces another type of porcelain with a beautiful red glaze.
As the color looks like that of ripe red cowpea, the type of glazed porcelain is named "cowpea-red" 豇豆红.
The products are some of the most precious types of copper-red glaze wares.
Cowpea-red glazed porcelain first appeared in history during the early years of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), but the skill had been lost by the middle of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Fortunately it was recovered and recreated during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and the ensuing products and style became Emperor Kangxi's favorite.
However, because of the complicated craftsmanship and rather low production success rate, collections of cowpea-red glazed porcelain were rarely seen.
It is estimated that there are only about 100 items of cowpea-red glazed porcelain existing in China.
In Shanghai, a cowpea-red glazed vase of fine and delicate quality is displayed in the Shanghai Museum.
The Jingdezhen cowpea-red glazed vase 景德镇窑豇豆红釉瓶 , with flaring mouth, slim neck and sloping shoulder, looks dignified and elegant.
The body of the vase is long and tapered at the base, enhancing the slender and graceful look of the figure.
In praise of the slender figure of the vase, antique experts have metaphorically named it "willow leaf vase."
They also compared the color of the glaze with peach petals, pink clouds or the glowing cheeks of a slightly drunk lady.
Inside the ring base, a six-character blue-and-white inscription reads "Da Qing Kang Xi Nian Zhi."
The characters were written in regular script and reveal that the vase was made in the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty.
