Huangyan Shabu Celadon: A Timeless Tradition with a Touch of Blue Elegance

Walking through the Shabu Kiln site, fragments of history scatter underfoot. Though time has dulled the luster of the celadon, the intricate patterns on the ceramics remain clear, proof that the vitality of celadon has endured for over a thousand years.

Shabu, a small town in Huangyan, is surrounded by mountains and winding streams. From the late Tang and Five Dynasties to the Northern and Southern Song periods, the kilns burned constantly, and boats filled with celadon sailed downstream to distant lands.

Zhejiang has long been a center of ancient Chinese celadon production. The discovery of the Shabu Kiln site challenges the notion that Taizhou had no ceramics and fills the gap between the Yue and Longquan kilns. The Shabu Kiln site covers about 70,000 square meters, with the well-preserved kiln remains at Zhujialing being one of the most representative Song Dynasty kiln sites in Zhejiang.

Shabu celadon is primarily round in shape, simple yet elegant. Its decorations are delicate, with vivid floral and bird motifs, and the interplay of colors showcases a strong local character.

Today, the Huangyan Museum houses over 30 pieces of Shabu celadon, six of which are classified as national first-level cultural relics. These ceramics are not only functional objects but also vessels of the inheritance of Chinese culture.