This miniature bulbous jarlet with a loop handle on the shoulder is known as a ‘bird feeder’. Covered in a crazed olive green glaze, this bird feeder features moulded geometric decorations on its body. Acquired in the Philippines, it was used as a utility ware and for burials.Produced in the Longquan kilns of Zhejiang province, such wares are referred to as ‘celadon’, a generic term for green-glazed wares in Chinese ceramics produced since the Southern Song dynasty. These wares are prized for their lustrous green tone that resembles jade. However from the Yuan and Ming dynasties onwards, a yellowish tinge had crept into the glaze as the ideal firing conditions were not maintained. Export demands also meant that the priority of the kilns was on quantity and not quality. Despite the dip in quality, Longquan wares still maintained an international reputation and were in high demand in South-east Asia.
