Master Wang Xiaona: Yaozhou “Secret Color” Peony Teapot Stand (Hucheng)

Provincial Master Series | The Lineage of Yue & Yaozhou | Mt. Ta’er Mineral Glaze | 14.5cm

“A Northern echo of a Southern dream; the legendary ‘Secret Color’ perfected through a thousand years of fire.”

At ZENTAOEAST, we explore the profound currents of Chinese ceramic history. This “Secret Color” (Mi Se) Teapot Stand (Hucheng) is a masterpiece by Wang Xiaona, a certified Provincial Arts and Crafts Master. More than a vessel, it is a tribute to the historical dialogue between the legendary Yue Ware of the South and the majestic Yaozhou Ware of the North—a lineage that defined the pinnacle of Song Dynasty celadon.

The Lineage: From Yue to Yaozhou (越器之脉)

The history of Yaozhou Ware is inextricably linked to the Yue Ware (Yue Yao) tradition.

• The Origins: The lineage began with the mysterious Secret Color (Mi Se) porcelain of Yue Yao, celebrated for its translucent, jade-like clarity.

• The Evolution: Northern artisans in Yaozhou (Shaanxi) studied and absorbed these southern techniques, eventually forging their own distinct system characterized by robust forms and fluid, “deep-cut” carvings.

• The Peak: By the Song Dynasty, Yaozhou celadon had reached such a height of refinement that contemporary scholars referred to it as “Yue Ware” (越器), noting that its warm, olive-green glaze was “comparable to the Secret Color of Yuyao” (类余姚秘色).

The Glaze: The “Secret Color” Revival

Master Wang Xiaona utilizes original stones from Mt. Ta’er to recreate this historical “Secret Color.”

• Atmospheric Hue: The glaze is a tranquil, warm Olive Green, echoing the celebrated tone mentioned in Song Dynasty records. It is thick, “oily,” and possesses a soft, inner glow that mimics ancient nephrite jade.

The Artistry: Master Wang’s Signature Carving

As a Provincial-level Master, Wang Xiaona’s hand-carving is world-class:

• 3D Peony Motif: At the center of the 14.5cm stand is a Peony, hand-carved with a powerful three-dimensional effect. The “King of Flowers” seems to emerge from the misty green glaze, surrounded by a delicate ring of Scrolling Grass (Juan Cao), representing the eternal continuity of life.

• Hand-Thrown & Carved: Each piece is 100% hand-thrown on the wheel and hand-carved with a steel knife, ensuring the unique “living” texture that only a master’s hand can achieve.

The Maker’s Mark: Wang Xiaona (王晓娜)

The base is impressed with the personal seal of Master Wang Xiaona. Her work is a bridge across time, preserving the sophisticated “Yue-style” beauty that once graced the tables of the Song Dynasty elite.

Curator’s Verdict

“The Wang Xiaona Peony Stand is a masterclass in historical resonance. I am fascinated by the connection it draws back to the Yue Ware tradition. When you see the way the light catches the carved peony under that olive-green glaze, you understand why the Song Dynasty poets called Yaozhou ‘Yue Ware.’ It is a heavy, soulful piece of art that elevates any teapot to the status of an imperial treasure.”

— Richard Zhang, Founding Curator