Ru ware is an extremely rare type of Chinese pottery from the Song dynasty (960 - 1279), produced for the imperial court for a very short period from approximately 1085-1115.  The Song ceramics are primarily stonewares which were made for court tribute, imperial use or fine every day wares. These were made at kilns in both north and south China during the Northern Song (960-1127) and the Southern Song (1128-1279) periods. These ceramics are known as Ru wares and they were made near modern day Ruzhou in Henan province. 

Ru wares are characterized by their pale grey-blue glaze which is usually semi-opaque due to its emulsive qualities and a light grey, slightly brittle body. The forms are often based on precious materials such as ancient bronzes, lacquer and gold and silver in accordance with court taste. During the Southern Song Dynasty, Ru porcelain had already become very rare.

Presently, there are only ancient 60-70 Ru porcelains from the 10th century AD in the world.

They are reserved in National Palace Museum in Tapei, Palace Museum in Beijing, Shanghai Museum and Percival David Collection at the British Museum. The other are in American and Japanese museums and private collectors.

Today, Ruzhou Municipal Government has attached great importance to the development of Ru porcelain and enhanced the cultivation of professional talents by establishing a sound industrial development mechanism. Up to now, there are nearly 200 Ru porcelain development companies and research institutes founded in Ruzhou, which can produce more than 2 million Ru porcelains.

Some fine samples of the contemporary Chinese Ru Royal Kiln porcelain, manufactured with the same technique as in Song dynasty, are now presented, at the Museum of Asian Art in Corfu island (until July 9th, 2017).