History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c15.s9.6

v1.c15.s9.6

The Chinese Celadon was held in high esteem in the medieval world probably because it resembled jade and was therefore thought to possess the qualities of the latter such as smooth, resonance and durability. But the Sultans in West Asia perhaps attached to it the quality of revealing poison in food when placed in it - a characteristic of jade. This would explain the export of mostly dishes and bowls of Celadon ware to West Asia and also to India under the Mughals. This belief in the magical properties of the Celadon have been recorded in 13th century by the philosopher Āṭ-Ṭusi (1201-74) in a book on precious stones written for Halaku, the Mongol conqueror of Baghdad, to instruct him in the appreciation of the gifts and ornaments presented to him. At-Tusi states that poison in food placed in a Celadon vessel would cause it to sweat, and that powdered Celadon porcelain would act as a tooth salve and would check nose bleeding. In other forms of the legend current in India and Persia, it is affirmed that “if poison is present, the dish will crack or change colour or the food will change its smell” (Honey, pp. 95-96)