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, crackle-glazed ceramics.

The dark stoneware clay was frequently used by royal court ceramists in ancient China due to its high percentage of ironic composition. When works together with special glazing under the secret recipe, Longquan celadon artist Mao Zheng-Cong is the guru in making such a stunning Guan Kiln artworks in modern era.

The cabbage form vase is an exquisite celadon ware with crackled glaze all over inside and out. Crackle decoration is to be found on Song Dynasty wares such as Guan Ware. The crackle of fine brownish lines and thicker transparent lines is called ‘Gold Thread and Silver Wire’. You can also find Guan famous visual effort called ‘Purple-Mouth and Iron Foot’ on this cabbage form vase.

Although the Dark Stoneware Guan Ware Cabbage Form Vase can be produced in batch quantity, the success rate has dropped to its 9-month low due to instable clay quality. The vase is in perfect condition and Mao Zheng-Cong’s chop on base with certificate signed and original wooden box form his workshop.


Year: 2008

Height: 16.5cm


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.