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Home  »  China Travel Guide  »  Chinese Culture  »  Chinese Handicrafts  »  Porcelain

China is the hometown of porcelain, porcelain is an important creation of Han Chinese working people. There is no denying that porcelain is the unique treasure of Chinese culture. Those artifacts who use baked clay are called porcelain. But today the specific definition of porcelain have not yet achieved a unified opinion. Most people think that porcelain must have the following features:

First, the material of porcelain must be clay. The main ingredient of porcelain clay is kaolin clay and engobe, and also contains feldspar, quartz and mullite composition; low iron content. After high temperature firing, the porcelain has white color with a transparent or translucent resistance, water absorption less than 1% or non-absorbent.

Second, porcelain must gone through the high temperature calcination( 1200 ℃ ~ 1300 ℃), so as to have the physical properties of the porcelain. Different places have different kinds of clay, firing temperature also differs and the standard should accord to sintering.

Third, the glaze applied on the surface of the porcelain, must be vitreous enamel under a high-temperature firing together with porcelain.

The invention of porcelain is a great contribution of the Chinese nation to world civilization. In English, "porcelain (china)" with the same word with China (China). Around the mid-16th century BC, Chinese earlier porcelain appeared. Because its body and the glaze firing process are still significant rough, firing temperature is low, showing originality and transition, it is generally referred to as the "original porcelain."

Chinese porcelain pottery evolved from the original porcelain and original pottery originated 3,000 years ago. To the Song Dynasty, porcelains kilns spread throughout half of China and it is the most prosperous period of porcelain. Then Ru Kiln, Guan Kiln, Ge Kiln, Jun Kiln and Ding Kiln are called the five famous kilns in the Song Dynasty. There were famous Chai kiln and Jian kilns as well. The blue and white porcelain produced in Jingdezhen in the Yuan Dynasty has become a representative. Porcelain enamel looks like transparent water and the base is light and thin, coated with blue decoration. The porcelain is elegant, fresh and vibrant. Blue and white porcelain was popular as soon as it appeared, turning a tradition crown of Jingdezhen porcelains. Together with the blue and white porcelains, there are three other famous porcelains, including exquisite blue and white porcelain, famille-rose porcelain and color-glazed Porcelain. In addition, there are porcelain sculptures, eggshell porcelain, colorful porcelain tires, etc. They are very fine and exquisite with their own characteristics.

Colorful porcelain is one of the great inventions of ancient China. "Porcelain" and "China" in English is the same word. The full description of exquisite Chinese porcelain can be used as the representative of China. Advanced ceramics have much higher difficulty than the general difficulty of porcelain production process, so there are some exquisite porcelain collections in the ancient royal families. As one of ancient China's specialty luxury, porcelain spread through a variety of trade channels to various countries, a large number of exquisite ancient porcelains were collected by private collectors. Ancient Chinese porcelain have been sold at a whopping price, but is not part of a national porcelain treasure are not stored in China.

If improper maintained, porcelain will severely endanger which is not conducive to long-term preservation of porcelain, especially the fine handed down and excavated ones. They should meticulously maintained. Porcelain maintenance must follow gently, careful principles, while the maintenance of porcelain cannot be too protective lest they cause damage. Some maintain methods are as follows:

First, the porcelain is fragile, you should pay attention to prevent shock, extrusion and collision. Be careful not to appreciate the collection, try not to touch the hand sweat. Best to wear gloves when you look at the collection, table mats with good flannel, do not pass each other while watching it.

Second, bottles, cans, and other porcelain statue is generally jointed by the upper and the bottom. So, don’t hold the upper part of the neck when move the porcelain. The correct way is in one hand hold the neck and in one hand hold the bottom.

Although porcelain is precious, some collectors may be puzzle for its maintenance. But as long as the appropriate method that can properly maintained, you can enjoy the collection of porcelain.

Add on: Papper Cutting
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               Chinese Pottery
                Wood Carving
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               Tang Tricolor Pottery




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