Qiong Kiln, the birthplace of Chinese colored porcelain (II)
2025-09-15
Late Tang to Five Dynasties
From the late Tang Dynasty to the Five Dynasties, daily-use vessels reached an unprecedented level of variety, encompassing more than ten categories including bowls, plates, loop-handled cups, long cups, zhan (small cups), cup stands, bo (bowls), lamp dishes, oil-saving lamps, water containers, boxes, ewer pots, dish-mouthed jars, jars, grinding tools, and lids. Porcelain for display and toys emerged in large numbers, with kundika (pure water bottles), various types of incense burners, figurines, and nested boxes appearing one after another. Notably, the famous oil-saving lamp of Qiong Kiln also began to appear during this period.
Late Tang to Five Dynasties Qiong Kiln oil-saving porcelain lamp
Excavated in the Chengdu area
Now housed in the Chengdu Museum
Glaze color analysis diagram of the Qiong Kiln oil-saving lamp
The secret of the Qiong Kiln oil-saving lamp's fuel efficiency lies in keeping the lamp bowl at a low temperature,which suppresses unnecessary evaporation of lamp oil through physical cooling. Among these,heat conduction and water evaporation are the main factors affecting the temperature of the Qiong Kiln oil-saving lamp bowl.Modern experiments have shown that, under equal oil quantity and usage time, the Qiong Kiln oil-saving lamp can save an average of 8%–20% of oil, and under certain conditions, it can exceed 22%.
Schematic diagram of the working principle of the Qiong Kiln oil-saving lamp
Structural analysis diagram of the Qiong Kiln oil-saving lamp
During this period, in addition to celadon and brown glazes, the glaze colors of Qiong Kiln wares newly included sky blue, moon white, blue-green, green opalescent glaze, as well as low-temperature yellow and green "Qiong Sancai" (three-color ware). Celadon glaze remained the most common, followed by low-temperature glazes.
Late Tang-Five Dynasties Qiong Sancai water container
Excavated from the Chengdu Zhihuijie Site
Collection of Chengdu Museum
Late Tang to Five DynastiesBrown-glazed Tripod Vessel (Yu)
Mouth diameter 4.7 cm, foot diameter 3.1 cm, maximum belly diameter 8.2 cm, height 6.6 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Cultural Relics Administration of Qionglai City
The vessels are well-proportioned in form; bowls and plates often feature sunflower-shaped or lobed rims with straight or gently curved sides. The foot rings are predominantly cake-shaped, with early examples of jade-disc feet and flared ring feet. Ewers and jars frequently have melon-ribbed bodies, while burners have folded rims and animal-head-decorated hoof feet. The bodies tend to be thinner, with a predominantly cream-colored slip. Low-fired wares often exhibit "glaze covering the foot." The celadon glaze adheres tightly to the body with a strong glassy surface; low-fired glazes, due to the secondary firing process, commonly show glaze flaking.
Tang to Five Dynasties Celadon Sunflower-shaped Rim Plate
Excavated from the Qiong Kiln Site
Collection of Chengdu Museum
Five Dynasties Unglazed Stamped Flower-shaped Rim Plate
Mouth diameter 13.4 cm, foot diameter 5.8 cm, height 2.8 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
Five Dynasties Celadon lobed-rim dish
Mouth diameter 15.7 cm, foot diameter 6.9 cm, height 4.6 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
Five Dynasties Celadon floral-rim dish
Mouth diameter 9.9 cm, foot diameter 4.8 cm, height 2.6 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
Five Dynasties Green-glazed long cup with impressed pattern
Mouth diameter 11.6 cm, foot diameter 4.5 cm, height 4.6 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Collection of Chengdu Museum
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-glazed long cup
Mouth diameter 8.4-13.4 cm, foot diameter 3.8 cm, height 5.0 cm
Excavated from Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Cultural Relics Administration of Qionglai City
Analysis diagram of the foot shape of the Qiong Kiln oil-saving lamp
Five Dynasties Yellow-glazed painted plate
Mouth diameter 15.7 cm, foot diameter 4.3 cm, height 3.5 cm
Excavated from the Longxing Temple site in Qionglai
Currently housed in the Cultural Relics Administration of Qionglai City
LateTang Celadon-glazed bowl
Mouth diameter 12.5 cm, foot diameter 5.5 cm, height 4.9 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Now in the collection of the Qionglai Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage
Five Dynasties period Yellow-glazed painted bowl
Mouth diameter 12.5 cm, foot diameter 4.5 cm, height 5 cm
Excavated from the Jinhe Road site, Chengdu
Collection of the Chengdu Museum
Five Dynasties period Yellow-glazed painted zun bowl
Mouth diameter 11.7 cm, foot diameter 5.6 cm, height 9.1 cm
Excavated from the site of the Mohchi Pond Garden, Donghuamen, Chengdu
Now in the collection of the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
In terms of decoration, celadon and opalescent glazes still feature dot and cluster patterns, with molded patterns of flowers, dragons, and flying apsaras on box lids; low-temperature glazes bear molded lotus, fish, birds, and animal faces, while yellow glaze is further adorned with alternating brown and green带状 stripes, reflecting a strong trend of imitating gold and silverware.
装烧上，首次出现直腹圆筒匣钵，仰烧青釉碗盘，每匣四～五件，盖顶再叠炉、小杯；明火叠烧沿用，支钉、支柱趋矮小，垫饼废弃。低温釉器用三齿支钉，满釉器底留“芝麻钉”包釉痕。
五代 Yellow-glazed cup with green floral design and lobed rim
Mouth diameter 11.2 cm, foot diameter 5 cm, height 4.2 cm
Excavated from the site of the Mohechi Pond Garden at Donghuamen, Chengdu
Currently housed in the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
Late Tang Dynasty, green-glazed bowl
Mouth diameter 13.2 cm, foot diameter 5.6 cm, height 9.0 cm
Excavated from the Longxing Temple site in Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
Five Dynasties Green-glazed bowl
Mouth diameter 11.4 cm, foot diameter 6.8 cm, height 6.8 cm
Excavated from the ancient site northeast of Tianfu Square, Chengdu
Currently housed in the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
Five Dynasties Unglazed saucer stand
Mouth diameter 17.3 cm, foot diameter 6.3 cm, height 5.1 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Now housed in the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
Late Tang to Five Dynasties Qiong tri-color porcelain jar
Excavated from the family dormitory of the Xijin Factory, Dongzikou, Chengdu
Collection of Chengdu Museum
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-glazed painted ewer
Mouth diameter 3.2 cm, foot diameter 3.5 cm, height 5.9 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Now housed in the Qionglai Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage
LateTang to Five Dynasties green-glazed painted ewer
Mouth diameter 3.7 cm, maximum belly diameter 9.8 cm, base diameter 4.6 cm, height 9.8 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-Glazed Painted Ewer
Mouth diameter 5.8 cm, foot diameter 5.7 cm, height 9.8 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-Glazed Painted Ewer
Mouth diameter 6.1 cm, belly diameter 6.0 cm, foot diameter 3.7 cm, height 9.6 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-Glazed Painted Ewer
Mouth diameter 10.1 cm, belly diameter 15.0 cm, foot diameter 8.9 cm, height 15.6 cm
Excavated from the Hongyu construction site on Tianqing Street, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
LateTang to Five Dynasties Celadon Painted Ewer
Mouth diameter 5.2 cm, belly diameter 10.7 cm, foot diameter 4.6 cm, height 8.8 cm
Excavated from the Tang-Song Dynasty market site on Zhengkejia Alley, Chengdu
Currently housed in the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
LateTang to Five Dynasties Celadon Painted Ewer
Mouth diameter 5 cm, belly diameter 0.7 cm, foot diameter 4.7 cm, height 9.2 cm
Excavated from the Tang-Song Dynasty market site on Zhengkejia Alley, Chengdu
Currently housed in the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
LateTang to Five Dynasties Celadon Painted Ewer
Mouth diameter 3.3 cm, belly diameter 4.9 cm, foot diameter 2.6 cm, height 6.3 cm
Excavated from the site of the Mohachi Pond and Garden Remains at Donghuamen, Chengdu
Now housed in the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
LateTang to Five Dynasties, green-glazed painted ewer
Mouth diameter 9.3 cm, belly diameter 12.2 cm, foot diameter 7.8 cm, height 22.1 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Now housed in the Qionglai Municipal Administration of Cultural Relics
LateTang to Five Dynasties, green-glazed painted ewer
Mouth diameter 9.9 cm, foot diameter 11.0 cm, height 16.0 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Now housed in the Qionglai Municipal Administration of Cultural Relics
LateTang to Five Dynasties, green-glazed painted ewer
Mouth diameter 4.4 cm, belly diameter 6.6 cm, base diameter 4.0 cm, height 9.6 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Now housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-glazed Ewer
Mouth diameter 8.1 cm, belly diameter 9.0 cm, foot diameter 6.1 cm, height 15.2 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Now housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
Five Dynasties Blue-glazed Ewer
Belly diameter 13.4 cm, base diameter 6.8 cm, remaining height 17.8 cm
Excavated from the Mohe Pool Garden Site, Donghuamen, Chengdu
Now housed in the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
Late Tang to Five Dynasties Green-glazed Ewer
Mouth diameter 9 cm, maximum belly diameter 18.1 cm, foot diameter 9.2 cm, height 21.5 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
Five Dynasties, Unglazed Ewer
Mouth diameter 4.7 cm, foot diameter 4.1 cm, height 11.6 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
Five Dynasties, Green-glazed Double-spouted Ewer with Impressed Design
Mouth diameter 10.2 cm, maximum belly diameter 17.1 cm, foot diameter 9.8 cm, height 27.3 cm
Excavated from the Nanjie site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
Five Dynasties Yellow-glazed Painted Ewer
Mouth diameter 4.1 cm, maximum belly diameter 11.3 cm, foot diameter 7.8 cm, height 13.9 cm
Excavated from the Zhihuijie site, Chengdu
Currently housed in the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-glazed four-handled jar
Mouth diameter 10.2 cm, foot diameter 7.4 cm, height 15 cm
Excavated at the Xincheng International construction site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
LateTang to Five Dynasties green-glazed four-handled jar
Mouth diameter 10.2 cm, belly diameter 7.5 cm, foot diameter 8.0 cm, height 13.8 cm
Excavated at the Longxing Temple site, Qionglai
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
LateTang to Five Dynasties green-glazed four-handled jar
Mouth diameter 8.8 cm, maximum belly diameter 12.8 cm, base diameter 9.0 cm, height 14 cm
Excavated at the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
From the Five Dynasties to the early Northern Song Dynasty Greenish-white glazed painted jar
Mouth diameter 7.2 cm, base diameter 5.5 cm, height 8.1 cm
Excavated from an ancient tomb at Fenglong Village, Huilong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
From the Five Dynasties to the early Northern Song Dynasty Greenish-white glazed painted jar
Mouth diameter 10 cm, foot diameter 6.5 cm, height 9.1 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-glazed painted small jar
Mouth diameter 2.7 cm, foot diameter 2 cm, height 4 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
Five Dynasties to early Northern Song Dynasty Greenish-white glazed painted vase
Mouth diameter 3.9 cm, height 9.6 cm, base diameter 3.6 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
Five Dynasties Yellow-glazed painted gourd vase
Mouth diameter 0.8 cm, height 6.6 cm, base diameter 2.8 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
Five Dynasties Green-glazed kundika
Mouth diameter 3.7 cm, belly diameter 8.3 cm, foot diameter 4 cm, height 14.7 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
Five Dynasties Yellow-glazed polychrome multi-footed censer
Mouth diameter 9 cm, height 6.5 cm
Excavated from the Jinhe Road site in Chengdu
Currently housed in the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
Five Dynasties Green-glazed multi-footed censer
Mouth diameter 17.9 cm, base diameter 6.1 cm, height 12 cm
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
Five Dynasties Bluish-white-glazed multi-footed censer
Mouth diameter 9 cm, height 8.7 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site in Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
Five Dynasties Yellow-green glazed high-footed censer with impressed pattern
Mouth diameter 10.1 cm, foot diameter 8.3 cm, height 15.7 cm
Excavated from the Jinhe Road site in Chengdu
Housed in the Chengdu Museum
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-glazed willow-basket cup
Mouth diameter 6.6 cm, base diameter 3.8 cm, height 4.0 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site in Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Administration of Cultural Relics
Five Dynasties Unglazed impressed-pattern water dropper
Mouth diameter 3.0 cm, belly diameter 5.4 cm, foot diameter 2.6 cm, height 3.2 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-glazed Painted Yu (water vessel)
Mouth diameter 2.4 cm, belly diameter 5.0 cm, foot diameter 2.3 cm, height 2.9 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-glazed Painted Yu (water vessel)
Mouth diameter 4.0 cm, maximum belly diameter 7.4 cm, foot diameter 4.1 cm, height 6.1 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-glazed Slop Bowl (Zhado)
Mouth diameter 32.6 cm, belly diameter 26 cm, foot diameter 14 cm, height 26.2 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Now housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-glazed Painted Dish-mouthed Pot
Mouth diameter 9.6 cm, maximum belly diameter 6.0 cm, base diameter 8.0 cm, height 21.3 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Now housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
Five Dynasties Plain-bodied Nesting Box Set
Mouth diameter 18.5 cm, foot diameter 16.8 cm, height 9.6 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang Kiln Site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Now housed in the Chengdu Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-glazed Box with Lid
Belly diameter 9.8 cm, foot diameter 5 cm, height 8.3 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-glazed Painted Lion-shaped Pillow
Length 16.9 cm, height 8 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
LateTang to Five Dynasties Green-glazed Painted Vessel Cover
Mouth diameter 26.4 cm, top diameter 11.8 cm, height 6.6 cm
Excavated from the Shifangtang kiln site, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
Five Dynasties Green-glazed Painted Carved Basin
Mouth diameter 37.6 cm, base diameter 26 cm, height 9.1 cm
Excavated from the construction site of Nanning Garden, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City
Currently housed in the Qionglai Municipal Cultural Relics Administration
[1] Zhang Yakun. A Study on the Design of Energy-Saving Lamps from Qiong Kiln during the Tang and Song Dynasties [D]. Jiangnan University, 2018.
[2] Zhan Ying. A Study on the Aesthetic Culture of Qiong Kiln Artifact Design [D]. Southwest Jiaotong University, 2013.
[3]Selected Porcelain Masterpieces Excavated from Qiong Kiln
[4] Wu Qiupeng. A Preliminary Study on Ceramic Kiln Furniture and Loading and Firing Techniques of Qiong Kiln [J]. Sichuan Cultural Relics, 2005, (01): 50-55.
