Centuries-old ceramic pottery recreated in Jiangxi's traditional kilns
- Source: Global Times
- [00:28 October 26 2010]
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Gourd ceramic, a type of ceramic craftsmanship lost for three centuries, has come back to life in Jingdezhen, the ceramic capital of China in eastern Jiangxi Province.
After 18 hours of firing in a gourd-shaped kiln, more than 300 Gourd ceramic pieces, mainly blue and white porcelain and pottery of ancient design, were recreated Friday. This kind of ceramic work was last seen during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The largest among the new pieces is a 60 centimeter-tall blue and white porcelain wine vessel that is in an old style.
Ceramics archaeologists and antique experts from Jindezhen and The Palace Museum witnessed and authenticated the new Gourd ceramics.
"It is so amazing to recall the splendid times of China's porcelain by these 'reborn' Gourd ceramics," said Lai Quande, a master of arts and crafts.
"The brightness of their glaze and the blue and white pattern have both reached the levels of the craftsmanship seen during the Ming Dynasty."
He added that these new Gourd ceramics have a gentle and mild glaze, marking a suc-cessful return of Gourd ceramic craftsmanship after centuries of not being in use.
Gourd ceramic, which made its appearance as early as the mid-14th century, was a typical style of ceramic craftsmanship. It lasted for more than 300 years in Jingdezhen under China's Ming Dynasty.
Gourd ceramic gets its name from the gourd-shaped kiln that is used to make the pots and other ceramic ware and features two high ends and a low middle part. It is known for its high heat utilization and is most suitable for producing the well-known blue and white porcelain or archaic pottery.
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