Celadon colour data association classification and its dynasty-kiln site characteristics

Abstract

Celadon is an indispensable and important category in ancient ceramics. From secret colour porcelain to Yue kiln celadon, Longquan celadon, Yaozhou celadon, the colour description of celadon has always been a mystery. There are different descriptions of celadons's colour, including light green, sky green, pink green, plum green, olive green etc., and these colour descriptions are diverse and confusing. This paper analyses the colour measurement data of 223 publicly published celadon samples. Based on CIE (Commission Internationale de lEclairage) 1976 La*b* uniform colour space, the colour characteristics of celadons in each kiln site and dynasty are analysed, and the colour concentration of celadon at different kiln sites is analysed with H (Hue), C (Chroma) and L (Lightness). The corresponding relationship between the sensory description of the celadon colour and the quantitative description of the colour space has been determined, and the visualized HCL colour space diagram of various types of celadon colour data has been obtained, and the colour of celadon has been standardized. This research work is significant for the colour of celadon from sensory description to scientific description, and for the origin of ancient celadon colour and the evolutionary pedigree of celadon production.