Cong-shaped vase. Yuan dynasty, 1270-1300. Longquan kilns, south China. Stoneware with olive green (celadon) glaze. Height: 27 cm. Museum no. Circ.125-1938. From the Eumorfopoulos collection [2007]  © V&A Images. 

Jade cong were originally made in Neolithic times by people in the Zhejiang area. This ceramic vase was made in the same region 3700 years later. The reason for this, after such a great time lapse, remains a mystery. 

The Yuan (1271-1368) is the dynasty when China was ruled by Mongol emperors. Kilns became bigger to take advantage of economy of scale and were managed by competent entrepreneurs. Some kilns active in the preceding decades ceased production, but the Longquan, Jun, Cizhou and Jizhou kilns continued their success. Jingdezhen became an important ceramic producer. Yuan dynasty ceramics are as popular among collectors as their Song dynasty predecessors. This piece is a Longquan ware.

Bibliographic References: Ming Wilson, Chinese Jades, No. 8