Mao Zheng-Cong (1940 – present) was named Chinese Arts & Crafts Master in 2007. Part of his illustrious achievement is for the classic Guan ware-like, for crackle-glazed ceramics of widely varying color and texture.

The identification of Ge and Guan ware has been widely debated in China. Some maintain that Ge was a variant of Guan ware without the royal perfection. In addition to the glaze tone and texture, experts point to specific differences in body composition, potting and numbers of glaze layers. From Mao Zheng-Cong’s view, Guan ware was given unique disposition by the royal ceramists. To reproduce the Guan ware alike celadon from Longquan kiln is the life-time goal of Mao from very beginning.

The Ge Kiln Celadon Vessel with Crackled Glaze is an exquisite celadon ware with crackled glaze all over inside and out. Crackle, a network of irregular cracks in the glaze caused by a disagreement in the rate of shrinkage between body and glaze during cooling. From the Song Dynasty and onward crackles seems to have been intentionally produced as decoration. The appearance could be stained with soot or other pigment being rubbed into the cracks. Crackle decoration is to be found on Song Dynasty wares such as Guan and Ge. The crackle of fine brownish lines and thicker transparent lines is called ‘Gold Thread and Silver Wire’. The transparent cracks will keep growing after manufacture on a very slow pace for many years.

The most impressive nature of crackled glazing is its uniqueness. No two of the textures can be the same. That was why Chinese State Council used artworks from Mao’s workshop as diplomatic gift. Each celadon ware was noted with serial number and only the high level qualified the gift.

In order to create the jade-like impression the celadon artist has to repeat the glazing for several layers. Thicker glaze creates the greater visual effect but on the other hand, the difficulty to manage the glazes presentation multiples.

Mao Zheng-Cong is the guru in making such artwork. This is a stunning example of Mao’s artwork, a very large vessel that is simply magical. Jade-like, the celadon glazing is extremely thick and prismatic. It is in perfect condition and Mao’s signature on base with certificate signed and original wooden box form his workshop.


Year: February 2006

Diameter: 17.5cm

Height: 17cm


About Mao Zheng-Cong

Since last century when Chinese government began awarding the title of China Arts & Crafts Master (similar to the Japanese Living National Treasure) to craftsmen, 3 ceramists who specialized in Longquan celadon have been honored thus far (through July 2008). In January 2007, Mr. Mao Zheng-Cong was added to this extremely distinguished list as the second celadon ceramics artist to reach this summit.

Mao Zheng-Cong was born in 1940 at Longquan City of Zhejiang Province. He started the potter career since teenage as the worker in state-owned celadon factory. In 1996 Mao built his workshop and kiln after his retirement from the Director to Celadon Research Institution of Longquan.

Mao Zheng-Cong's celadon artworks not only exhibit a natural, decent and classic sense of style, his many experiences in plum-green glazes and bluish glazes have produced new and unique celadon glazes that are authentically his own. Moreover Mao is the only Guan kiln 'Purple-Mouth-Iron-Foot' type apprentice that recognized by the authority in Chinese State Council and Palace Museum.

During Mao Zheng-Cong’s working tenure in state-owned factory, his artworks had being appreciated by collectors all over Asia already. A number of prestige persons such as Mr. Deng Xiao-Ping, Mrs. Margaret Thacher and Dr. Henry A. Kissinger also praised Mao's celadon as Chinese culture treasure in early 90'. Due to the recognition from international society Mao was assigned to produce the diplomatic gift for Chinese State Council since 1992. His stunning artworks also collected and exhibited by Palace Museum in Beijing, Chinese Art & Craft Museum and Celadon Museum of Longquan City.