The Song dynasty (960-1279) was one of the most brilliant periods in Chinese ceramic history. Song taste favored restrained beauty and natural mineral glaze colors, giving rise to the five celebrated wares: Ru, guan, Ge, Jun, and Ding.

Ru Ware: The Color of Sky After Rain

Ru ware was produced for only about twenty years (circa 1086-1106), and fewer than one hundred examples survive, making it the rarest of the Song wares. Its glaze has been described as "sky blue after rain when the clouds break," a blue-grey celadon tone with the softness of polished jade.

Identification points:

  • The glaze is covered with fine crackle, often compared to crab-claw marks
  • The base shows spur marks, commonly called "sesame-seed spurs"
  • Forms are usually scholar's studio and offering vessels, such as brush washers, dishes, bowls, and vases

Longquan Ware: Green with Mist

The Longquan kilns in Zhejiang were the most important celadon center across the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. Their glazes fall broadly into two types: powder-blue celadon, with a soft, congealed-fat quality, and plum-green celadon, deep in tone like jadeite.

Collecting advice:

  • Late Southern Song to Yuan Longquan wares are the most valuable
  • Pay close attention to regularity of form and evenness of glaze color
  • Check the treatment of the foot, which is generally unglazed and exposes the body

Market Conditions

Song dynasty celadon has continued to strengthen in the international market in recent years. In 2023-2025, a Southern Song Longquan celadon meiping in good condition could achieve approximately $15,000-$80,000 USD at a major auction house, while Ru ware pieces usually exceed one million dollars.

Investment Advice

  1. Prioritize condition -- completely intact Song ceramics are very rare, and any hairline crack or restoration can substantially affect value
  2. Provenance -- pieces with clear ownership history command a significant premium
  3. Expert appraisal -- formal valuation through international auction houses such as Christie's or Sotheby's is recommended

If you want to understand the market value of a Song ceramic in your possession, you are welcome to use our AI valuation system.