is a county located in central Fujian province, People's Republic of China. It is under the administration of Quanzhou City and covers an area of 2,232 square kilometres (862 sq mi) with a total population of 300,000.
A depiction of a qilin (mythological creature), made of Dehua porcelain ware, Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).
Jian ware or Chien ware is a type of Chinese pottery originally made in Jianyang, Fujian province. It, and local imitations of it, are known in Japan as Tenmoku (天目). The ware are simple shapes in stoneware, with a strong emphasis on subtle effects in the glazes. In the Song dynasty they achieved a high prestige, especially among Buddhist monks and in relation to tea-drinking. They were also highly valued in Japan, where many of the best examples were collected. Though the ceramic body is light-coloured, the wares, generally small cups for tea, bowls and vases, normally are glazed in dark colours, with special effects such as the "hare's fur" "oil-spot" and "partridge feather" patterns caused randomly as excess iron in the glaze is forced out during firing.
Jian tea bowl with "hare's fur" glaze, southern Song dynasty, 12th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art (see below)
Jian yohen tenmoku tea bowl with blue and green "oil spot" marks, southern Song dynasty, 13th century. National Treasure (Japan)
View of the "hare's fur" glazing effect on a Jian bowl
Hare's fur glaze, Song dynasty, China