This Yue ware basin, dating to the Western Jin dynasty (265–316 CE), is a refined example of early high-fired Chinese celadon pottery. Produced in the Yue kilns of Zhejiang province, this piece is formed in a wide, open basin shape, with thin walls and a softly rounded profile—designed for practical use yet made with remarkable delicacy.
The surface is coated in a thin, olive-green glaze, characteristic of early Yue celadon, which pools slightly in the recesses and enhances impressed decoration near the rim. The glaze’s subtle translucence and the basin’s elegant proportions reflect the early stages of celadon’s evolution, as potters experimented with controlled firing and refined finishes that would later influence generations of Chinese ceramics. The five pointed mark on the inside are from the points of a kiln support during firing.
Used for washing, offerings, or ritual, this Western Jin Yue basin bridges utilitarian function with quiet beauty. It stands today as a testament to the technical innovation and aesthetic sensitivity of early Chinese stoneware—a precursor to the sophisticated celadons of the Tang and Song dynasties.
Condition: Overall nice, with some glaze degradation in areas
