Celadons are a type of ware fired with a green glaze resembling jade in color and having an unglazed ring base that is fired red. Of Chinese origin, they were first manufactured during the Tang dynasty (618907) but attained their highest degree of perfection during the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties. The importance of Celadons declined during the Ming period (1368-1644) with the introduction of blue-and-white porcelains around the beginning of the 14th century. At the beginning, the cobalt-blue of these wares was spoiled by blackish spots. Around the middle of the 16th century the color assumed a purplish tone and it was not until the early 18th century, during the Qing period (1644-1912), that the immaculate dark blue distinctive of these wares was attained. Flowers such as lotuses and peonies, dragons, a variety of birds and animals, and scenery were all used as decorative elements. A special group of wares manufactured for the Near Eastern market included cups, ewers, and flasks inscribed with Koranic verse. Polychrome porcelains decorated in pink, green, yellow, and black make an appearance towards the end of the 17th. century.

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