SONG DYNASTY JUN (CHUN) WARE GLAZES.

The technology of jun ware glazes is investigated. The attention was focused on the thick, translucent and lustrous appearance of the glaze. The microstructures of museum quality and modern replica jun samples are examined in conjunction with laboratory tests. The roles of iron and copper and phosphorus, the degree of reduction during firing, and the nature of the firing cycle are critically examined. The optical effects achieved in jun glazes are found to depend on phase separation during cooling for which local compositional variations and rate of cooling are critical factors.