Origin as imitation of Ming wares (1426–1435); the colour the Kangxi potters were trying to achieve Sang de boeuf glaze was apparently developed around 1705–1712 in an attempt to recover the lost "sacrificial red" glaze of the
Xuande reign (1426–35) of the
Ming dynasty. This was a very famous glaze used for ceremonial (ritual) wares made at Jingdezhen, of which very few examples survive from his short reign. As recorded in the
Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty, from 1369, the second year of
Hongwu Emperor's reign at the beginning of the Ming dynasty, monochrome porcelains replaced other materials for the ritual vessels used in the official rituals of sacrifices the emperor was required by tradition to perform, hence the name "sacrificial red". Chinese names for it are
xiānhóng (鲜红, "fresh red") and
bǎoshíhóng (宝石红, "ruby red"). The statute also states that each colour was associated with a specific direction and ritual: "To each direction is associated a porcelain: red for the altar of the Sun, blue for that of Heaven, yellow for the Earth and white for the Moon". The sacrificial red developed under Xuande ceased to be produced after the emperor's death, and has never been perfectly imitated, despite many later attempts. This suggests the close personal interest some emperors took in the imperial potteries, and also that some secrets must have been restricted to a small group of potters.
Qing sang de boeuf Monochrome glazes like sang de boeuf enjoyed a revival in the
Qing dynasty, for whom they evoked what were regarded as the high points of historical Chinese ceramics under the early Ming and the
Song dynasty (960–1279). They were produced for the imperial court at Jingdezhen alongside completely different styles painted with elaborate designs using newly expanded palette of colours in
overglaze enamels, known as
famille rose,
famille verte and so on, based on the dominant colour. Initially, much of this production was for sale, often as
Chinese export porcelain, where the court preferred simpler decoration. Where the Xuande sacrificial red pieces have a very subtle
mottled coverage, sang de boeuf was produced with a variety of shades of colour and as well as mottling, streaked effects in the glaze, which often fades to white at the top of pieces, and conversely thickens around the shoulders of vases and at the foot, which is often not fully covered by the glaze. There is often
crackle, and a greenish tinge at the edges of the glazed area, where the glaze is thin. All of these were considered desirable effects. Generally the glaze is only applied to the outside of closed shapes, the inside and rim left with a clear glaze. The red glaze was probably applied by spraying. Other colours that may appear are turquoise, lavender, and purple. File:Water Pot (Shuicheng) with Dragon Medallions LACMA 58.51.1.jpg|The related copper oxide peach-bloom glaze on a Kangxi water pot, also with incised decoration. File:MET 50 221 32 O1 sf (cropped).jpg|
Kangxi bowl, before 1722 File:Ox-blood red vase - Cleveland Museum of Art (28200385710) (cropped).jpg|
Kangxi vase, before 1722 File:Vase, China, Qing Dynasty, Kangxi period, 1662-1722, porcelain with oxblood (langyao) glaze - Chazen Museum of Art - DSC01653.JPG|
Kangxi vase, before 1722 File:Jar (China), 18th century (CH 18457369-2) (cropped).jpg|18th-century jar ==Western versions==