The Polyhedral and Elusive Nature of Geyao

For the last six and a half centuries, a lot has been written about Ge ware, but mostly in a fragmentary way that has made the understanding of this ceramic ware complex and confusing. Major archaeological excavations of the past 30 years have provided scholars with an unprecedented and unexpected wealth of material that has allowed them to piece together a much more detailed history of Chinese ceramics from the 10th to the fourteenth century (and beyond). However, the identification of Ge ware and its production place still elude the academic community. After analysing ancient literary records on Ge ware and related archaeological excavations, this paper suggests a new approach to the subject in the attempt to break the deadlock in which experts have got entangled.