Ru Ware : The Pinnacle of Chinese Ceramics
Among all Chinese ceramic achievements, Ru ware holds supreme status. Produced briefly during the late Northern Song dynasty (960-1127), these wares were imperial products reserved exclusively for the emperor's court. Today, fewer than 100 authenticated pieces survive worldwide, making Ru ware the holy grail of Chinese ceramic collecting.
The name derives from Ruzhou, the region in modern Henan province where the kilns operated. Historical records suggest production lasted only about twenty years, ending when the Song court fled south before Jurchen invaders. This brief production period, combined with exclusive imperial patronage, explains the extreme rarity of surviving examples.
Characteristics of Ru Glaze
Ru ware's most distinctive feature is its subtle sky-blue or pale greenish-blue glaze. The color defies precise description—Chinese connoisseurs compare it to 'the blue of the sky after rain.' This elusive quality results from specific glaze composition and controlled reduction firing that cannot be precisely replicated.
The glaze typically displays fine crackle patterns, described as 'crab claw' or 'fish roe' patterns. These were originally unintentional but became appreciated as aesthetic features. The crackle should appear natural and irregular, never mechanical or uniform.
On genuine pieces, the glaze often pools slightly thicker around the foot rim, creating a subtle color variation visible on close inspection. This 'tear' effect results from glaze flow during firing and serves as an authentication marker.
Body and Construction
Ru ware bodies use a grayish stoneware clay that remains visible at unglazed edges. The thin, refined construction feels surprisingly light for the material. Most surviving pieces are small—vessels rarely exceed 20 centimeters in height. Forms include washers, incense burners, vases, and dishes of restrained, elegant shapes.
The firing technique involved placing pieces on small spurs or supports, leaving characteristic spur marks on the base. These marks are small, neat, and typically number three to five per piece. The glaze covers the entire object except for these tiny contact points.
Authentication Challenges
The extreme value of Ru ware has inspired centuries of forgery attempts. Modern scientific analysis can identify anachronistic materials, but experienced connoisseurship remains essential. Genuine Ru glaze possesses a soft, almost wet-looking quality impossible to fully replicate. The surface should feel warm and smooth, never harsh or glassy.
Provenance history is crucial—most authenticated Ru pieces have documented ownership stretching back centuries. Any 'newly discovered' Ru ware should be viewed with extreme skepticism. Major auction houses and museums employ multiple experts and scientific tests before accepting attribution.
The Market for Ru Ware
When Ru ware appears at auction, prices reach stratospheric levels. A Ru brush washer sold in 2017 for approximately $37 million, setting a record for Chinese ceramics. Such sales generate headlines, but they represent once-in-a-generation opportunities rather than a functioning market.
Most collectors will never handle genuine Ru ware. High-quality Song dynasty celadons from Longquan or Yaozhou kilns offer more accessible alternatives that share aesthetic DNA with Ru ware. Contemporary Jingdezhen artisans also produce Ru-style glazes that capture some of the original's character at affordable prices.