The Art of Imperial Kiln Golden Bricks

Golden bricks are an elegant term for large square bricks and have a long history in China. According to the ancient text Jinzhuan Man Di, golden bricks were fine-quality square bricks specially fired for imperial palaces. 

The craftsmanship of Imperial Kiln golden bricks is highly complex, involving more than twenty procedures. The main steps include selecting clay, refining clay, forming the bricks, loading the kiln, firing, water curing, unloading, and polishing. Each procedure is closely linked, and failure at any single stage renders all previous efforts futile. 

Imperial Kiln golden bricks are a rare marvel in China’s brick-firing industry. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, they were favored by successive emperors and became exclusive materials for imperial architecture. During the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, golden brick production reached its peak. After the late Qing Dynasty, due to years of warfare, production became intermittent until it was fully restored in 1984. The firing of golden bricks at the Imperial Kiln began in 1413 and has continued for nearly 600 years.