SMALL PLATE, Hutian Ware, pale celadon, Song Dynasty（960–1279CE）

This piece is a small plate of pale celadon porcelain, crafted at the Hutian kiln located on the outskirts of Jingdezhen during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE). With a diameter of approximately 12.5 cm, this modestly sized vessel features a slightly flared rim and gently rising, shallow walls. The glaze exhibits a very subtle bluish tint, approaching a serene milky white, with natural variations that impart a quiet depth and a refined aesthetic. The form from the body to the foot is both simple and stable, and it is suggested that this piece may have served as a tea tray or a stand for a teapot. While it was likely used as an everyday dining utensil, numerous examples have also been found as ritual vessels.

The Hutian kiln, a folk kiln that flourished from the mid-Northern Song period onwards, primarily focused on the mass production of utilitarian wares, in contrast to the official kilns of Jingdezhen. Nevertheless, the technical standards were high, particularly in the firing of pale celadon, where a unique expression was established through reduction firing that brought forth a delicate bluish hue beneath the glaze. Such wares are referred to as "Yingqing," characterized by a subtly submerged color tone within the glaze. The clay body is made from fine porcelain stone, meticulously balancing the body and glaze to achieve a soft, clear tone and a smooth surface.

This work bears traces of support marks from the firing process on the interior of the foot, and there are areas along the rim where the glaze does not cover. Both of these features are common firing marks found in mass-produced ceramics of the time, reflecting the rationality of the production process and the accumulation of technical knowledge. Additionally, the glaze surface has undergone natural changes due to years of use and storage, revealing a soft patina characteristic of pale celadon porcelain that gently graces the vessel's surface.

During the Northern Song period, pale celadon porcelain permeated daily life as a practical ware distinct from the formal court items. In particular, vessels from the Hutian kiln were widely distributed, especially in southern cities, with some reaching Southeast Asia and the Middle East through maritime trade.