Chaiyao: A “Lost” Porcelain Ware from Tenth-Century China

Chaiyao, a “mysterious” ceramic ware produced in China’s tumultuous period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, was rated higher than the famed “Five Great Wares” of the Song dynasty and was much sought after by porcelain connoisseurs and men of letters during late imperial times. It appears that Chai kiln largely ceased manufacturing and Chai ware was rarely seen after the tenth century. As a result, modern researchers know little about the ware. This paper, by examining the relevant historical sources and available Chai ware samples, argues that Chai ware derived its name from its imperial sponsor the Later Zhou emperor Chai Rong, the Chai kiln was located in Yaozhou, Shaanxi, and the principal features of the ware described by Ming-Qing porcelain aficionados are accurate.