Ceramics center

"Shanxi is rich in quality clay and coal for firing porcelain," Liu says. "Surrounded by famous porcelain making regions such as Hebei, Henan and Shaanxi. Shanxi also grew into a ceramic production powerhouse. Its porcelain production developed quickly in the Song and Yuan dynasties."

After the collapse of the Jin Dynasty, the importance of North China as a porcelain production center diminished rapidly. A rare exception was the fine-grained white wares produced at Huozhou in Shanxi during the Jin, Yuan and Ming dynasties, Liu says.

"Huozhou was the only source of delicately made white porcelain in the Yuan Dynasty."

Huozhou white wares are small and very thinly made. They are fired on five spurs, remains of which can be seen on the inside and base of the vessels. Common shapes include the waisted dish, stem-cup with ribbed foot, and dish with flattened rim. The decorative elements on them are waves, flora and fauna such as fish, hares and birds.