Celadon and Blue Glaze Porcelain Vase

By Chloe LeRoy, Graduate Class 2025

Pottery, Ceramics, or Porcelain?

Pottery, ceramics, and porcelain are different categories of fired objects. Ceramics is the broadest category as it includes any material that, once heated, cannot be returned to its original state, such as clay or some minerals and metals. Pottery is a ceramic made from only clay and includes earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Porcelain is a type of pottery that uses clay rich in the mineral Kaolin and is fired at a higher temperature than other types of pottery. The composition and high firing temperature create a less porous and more durable product with a brilliant white finish.

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain

The history of Chinese blue and white porcelain begins in the Tang Dynasty, 618-907 CE. Trade along the Silk Road introduced cobalt from Persia to the porcelain process, and by the 16th century, the vibrant hand-painted porcelain we know today was one of China’s most demanded exports. Chinese blue and white porcelain influenced ceramic traditions across Asia and Europe and became a symbol of China’s enduring cultural heritage. The pieces in the University of Denver Art Collections display some of the notable characteristics, such as dynamic and adaptable floral and animal motifs, landscapes, figural scenes, and intricate designs, which earned blue and white porcelain international acclaim.

Celadon and Blue Glaze Porcelain Vase

During the Eastern Han dynasty, 25-200 CE, celadon glaze was created to mimic jade’s light green hue. Its signature color comes from the iron-rich slip applied to the ceramic before firing. Looking closely at this vase, you can see a thin border between the painted design and the celadon glaze. This is caused by using wax to protect the painted design from the glaze. The wax evaporates during the firing process, allowing the blue design to stand out against the vase’s green surface.

This piece is currently on view in the lobby of Sturm Hall in a small show of Blue and White Chinese Porcelain from the University Art Collections, curated by Chloe LeRoy, Graduate Class of 2025.