Phoenix-head ewer green-glazed earthenware 10th century The Exhibition at the Musée Guimet contains priceless porcelain bowls, dishes, vases and spittoons! It is laid out in colour sections. The 10th C. ewer above is one of the oldest objects on display, the age of the pots on show ranging from the 8th to the 19th centuries. The colour green couldn't be used on porcelain, because of the low firing temperature of copper oxide, so it was mainly used on earthenware as a glaze. The first section of the exhibition concentrates on pure white porcelains which were so highly prized from the 8th and 9th centuries onwards. The most beautiful pieces were reserved for the Emperor or princely courts: Ewer from the Ding Kilns white porcelain 10th-11th century (Song dynasty) Emperors had the wares imprinted with their own special mark: Coral enamelled porcelain Qing dynasty (reign of Yongzheng 1723-1735) Zhuyuetang Collection Gradually other colours were introduced into pottery ...