Jingdezhen Handcrafted Porcelain Techniques

Jingdezhen is China's only historic city renowned for ceramics. Its porcelain-making began in the Five Dynasties period, flourished during the Song and Yuan dynasties, and peaked in the Ming and Qing dynasties as the national porcelain center with imperial kilns established at Zhushan.

This craft is famous for its meticulous division of labor, with a complete 72-step system established in the Song Dynasty. The Yuan Dynasty breakthroughs included the "porcelain stone + kaolin" formula and underglaze blue techniques. The entire process from mining and clay refining to wheel-throwing, glazing and firingreached its peak in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Jingdezhen once boasted "kiln fires in every village, clay-working in every household" and attracted craftsmen from all over China, creating a unique ceramic culture. Imperial and private kilns coexisted, with products exported worldwide.

Today, fewer than 100 artisans master the complete traditional craft, with only about 30 of the original 72 steps preserved. This millennia-old technique faces extinction and urgently needs preservation.