In the wake of Saint Patrick's Day, we are celebrating some of LEO Design's handsome green offerings, like the pair of Art Deco cufflinks, shown above. While these cufflinks resemble a pair we shared earlier this week, they are different in one small detail. On this pair, the enamel is celadon-colored (not Spring green).
Celadon ceramics glazes were invented by the Chinese in the Tenth Century. The name refers to a light green or grayish-green color, often with a lightly crackled surface effect. Celadon—which can range from pale green to a deeper grey-green—is reminiscent of jade, a continuously-popular stone in Asian cultures. And, while these glazes can be applied to many different types of clays (including stoneware and earthenware), it is most frequently used on porcelain. Celadon ware was enormously popular with the Chinese Imperial Court, at least until the fashion moved-on to hand-painted ceramics (notably blue and white). Once developed in China, the fashionable glaze effect was duplicated in Japan and Korea. European traders, always on the lookout for beautiful Chinese ceramics, began to import celadon ware to wealthy collectors back home.
Celadon glazes require a precise amount of iron oxide in the mixture. Too much or too little of the mineral can alter the resultant color. And the pieces must also be fired in a "reducing kiln"—that is, an anaerobic kiln which has no oxygen within it. This "pulls" any oxygen out of the clay or the glaze which affects the final appearance of the piece.
How did celadon get its name? It is believed that the name was coined in Europe, after a French literary character from the 1600's. Celedon, a shepherd boy, was known for wearing green-grey ribbons in his hair.
The Art Deco cufflinks, shown above, are not celadon glaze—rather they are celadon-hued enameling. Click on the photo above to learn more about them.
More green to come tomorrow.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.