Ru ware

Welcome to Ruzhou, the historic 'Capital of Ru Porcelain' and the birthplace of what many scholars consider the pinnacle of Chinese ceramic art: Ru ware. We are standing at the epicenter of a craft that flourished for a brief,…

We begin our exploration with the defining characteristic of Ru ware: its incomparable glaze. The term 'Tiante' refers to the color of the clearing sky after a storm, a hue that is neither purely blue nor purely green, but a…

The archaeological discovery of the Qingliangsi kiln site was a watershed moment for Chinese ceramic scholarship. For centuries, the exact location of the Ru kilns was unknown, with researchers searching throughout 'Ruzhou' for…

Within the museum, two pieces often stand out as 'star objects' of the Ru tradition: the 'Reclining Boy' headrest and the 'Garlic-Mouth Bottle.' The reclining boy is an 'extremely rare' example of ceramic sculpture, depicting a…

The legacy of Ru ware is so powerful that it sparked centuries of 'imitations' by subsequent dynasties. In this gallery, we can compare original Song Ru ware with 'imitations from the Ming and Qing dynasties.' For example, the…

Modern museum technology has transformed the way we experience Ru ware. In the gallery, you will find 'interactive experiences' and 'new medias' designed to enhance your understanding of the craft. …

Finally, we step outside the museum walls and into the 'living city' of Ruzhou. The city is a 'hub converging antiques and visual art,' where the tradition of Ru ware is felt in the local markets and even the 'street food.' As a…

As our audio guide to the Ru Ware Museum and Ruzhou comes to an end, I hope you carry with you the 'peace and calm' of the 'sky after rain' glaze. We have traversed nine hundred years of ceramic history, from the imperial firing…