The "glaze tear" is a distinctive feature of Jian Zhan tea cup — glaze that appears to drip but never falls.
It embodies the dynamic beauty of the glaze's flow and individuality, while also reflecting the exceptional skill required in the firing process.
Today, let's appreciate the unique charm of Jian Zhan's "glaze tears."
What Are Glaze Tears?
Glaze tears, also known as "glaze droplets," are a natural result of flowing or hanging glaze during firing — an "accidental art" in Jian Zhan.
The Southern Song Dynasty Jian Kiln Brown Hare's Fur Tea Bowl was sold for approximately 2.75 million RMB at the 2017 Hong Kong Sotheby's auction.
First, the glaze used in Jian Zhan is an iron-based crystalline glaze, which becomes highly fluid at around 1300°C. This fluidity significantly influences the bowl’s final appearance and success rate.
Second, Jian Zhan is characterized by the application of a thick glaze that extends to the "glaze stop line," with bowls fired upright (rim facing upward). Under these conditions, the rich glaze naturally flows downward during firing, accumulating at the base.
The high mobility of the glaze not only makes the bowls prone to kiln adhesion but also gives the patterns a dynamic, naturally formed beauty. Sometimes, the glaze stops exactly at the glaze stop line; other times, it continues to drip past it, forming glaze droplets.
Glaze tears represent a "just right" thickness in the glaze application — only with precisely controlled glaze density can aesthetically pleasing tears naturally form.
The presence of glaze tears is both a visual delight and a testament to craftsmanship. These droplets bring dynamic tension to the serene form of the bowl, revealing a unique beauty where glaze meets bare clay — a truly remarkable sight.
Gallery of Glaze Tears
Southern Song Dynasty, Jian Kiln Hare’s Fur Conical Bowl – Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
This bowl features remarkably symmetrical glaze tears — two droplets of similar gloss and fullness. Under close inspection, hare’s fur patterns are visible within the tears, illustrating exquisite glaze thickness.
Southern Song Dynasty, Jian Kiln Oil-Spot Bowl (Yutten Temmoku) – Kyushu National Museum, Japan
Designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Originally, a full glaze tear formed at the base, but it was ground flat for easier display. The remaining flow still reveals the richness of the glaze.
Southern Song Dynasty, Jian Kiln Oil-Spot Bowl (Yutten Temmoku) – Seikadō Bunko Art Museum, Japan
Also an Important Cultural Property. The complete glaze tear is round and lustrous, with several semi-formed tears in the accumulated glaze — a beautiful balance of movement and stillness.
Song Dynasty, Jian Kiln Hare’s Fur Bowl – Harvard Art Museums
A single, jade-like glaze tear, round and luminous.
Southern Song Dynasty, Jian Kiln Hare’s Fur Conical Bowl – The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Two glaze tears are visible at the base, symmetrically placed on the left and right.
Song Dynasty, Jian Kiln Hare’s Fur Conical Bowl – The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Four tears hang in a row, aligned like a cascading waterfall or rising waves — both dynamic and orderly, full of vitality.
Song Dynasty, Jian Kiln Hare’s Fur Conical Bowl – The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Includes 3–4 semi-formed tears, loosely scattered and naturally stretched, with a soft luster.
Song Dynasty, Jian Kiln Hare’s Fur Flaring Bowl – Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Song Dynasty, Jian Kiln Hare’s Fur Conical Bowl – The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
A prominent tear on the left side reveals how the hare’s fur patterns follow the flow of the glaze, enhancing its dynamic beauty.
Song Dynasty, Jian Kiln Hare’s Fur Conical Bowl – The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
A tear hangs as if about to drop — poised and weighty, small yet full of presence.
Song Dynasty, Jian Kiln Hare’s Fur Conical Bowl – Museum of East Asian Art, Cologne, Germany
Two tears, one smaller, with clearly visible flow marks.
Southern Song Dynasty, Jian Kiln Black Glaze Hare’s Fur Bowl – Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 2015.Sold for approximately RMB 2.46 million.
Works by Yeyiyun Master
