灰陶是以一般黏土加水溼潤來塑造成某種形狀，等乾燥後再以火加熱至一定的溫度，使之燒結成堅固的器物。因陶土多含氧化鐵成份，在還原氣氛中燒造後，呈現接近鐵的本色。由於燒成溫度、燒造氣氛和原料所含礦物質成分的不同，有的顏色會略偏紅或黃，軟硬度也不儘相同。
灰釉陶器的流行時間長(從商、西周到漢時代)，分佈範圍廣，為當時普及於庶民生活的飲食、盛儲器。近代學者對此類殘片進行胎釉化學分析，認為屬於瓷器範疇，但又具有若干的原始性，因此出現了「原始瓷器」或「原始青瓷」的稱呼。
During the Han Dynasty, potters learned how to build increasingly efficient kilns. The tunnel kiln was developed which was capable of reaching the higher temperatures necessary to fire stoneware clays (generally considered to be above 2000° F). This higher firing temperature results in a greater fusion of the clay body, a process called vitrification (literally, to become a glass). Stoneware clays are typically gray to brown in color, and have a greater 'hardness' than earthenware, and moreover, are not porous after firing, meaning stoneware vessels do not leak.
The ash acts as a flux, lowering the melting temperature of the clay surface slightly, and producing a 'self glazing' effect in the kiln. Colors produced are very 'natural' and recall the colors of many minerals, which of course were produced in nature under similar heated conditions (volcanic or igneous rock).
Material 材質：Clay 陶土
Size 尺寸：h19 / w21 cm
Country 國家：Han Dynasty, China 中國 漢時代
Year of Issue 年份：206 B.C. - A.D. 220
考究資料來源：
British Museum