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The town of Jingdezhen, located in Jiangxi province, emerged as the undisputed center of porcelain production during the Yuan Dynasty. This location, with its abundant resources of kaolin clay and wood for firing, proved ideal for the development of large-scale ceramic manufacture. The kilns of Jingdezhen were responsible for the vast majority of the fine porcelain pieces made during the Yuan era, supplying both the domestic market and trade routes around the world. Their output was truly remarkable. The organization of the Jingdezhen kilns was complex, employing a large number of artisans and specialized workshops. The production process, from the preparation of clay to the final firing, was highly standardized and meticulously carried out. The scale of the production, with multiple kilns working simultaneously, demonstrates the industrial capacity that was reached at that time. The kilns themselves were carefully designed to achieve the high temperatures necessary for the creation of porcelain. Yuan Dynasty kilns are known to have utilized a variety of techniques in their firing processes. The use of wood firing enabled the kilns to reach very high temperatures, essential for the vitrification of the porcelain body. The firing process also had an impact on the final glaze colors. The control over this process varied widely from kiln to kiln, and resulted in a wide range of variations in the finished product. Different kilns may have specialized in certain types of ware. The vast number of artifacts found at Jingdezhen, including kiln wasters and fragments, provide crucial insights into the various types of porcelain produced. Archaeological digs continue to unearth valuable details regarding the materials used and the technologies employed during the Yuan period. Such finds have allowed researchers a comprehensive view of the porcelain manufacture of the time. In conclusion, the kilns of Jingdezhen were the engine of Yuan Dynasty porcelain production. Their capacity to mass-produce high-quality ceramics transformed the porcelain industry and facilitated trade across Eurasia. The legacy of Jingdezhen's Yuan-era kilns continues to resonate, even today, shaping modern Chinese ceramic production. |
Tag : Jingdezhen Kilns, Yuan Dynasty Ceramics Production, Chinese Kilns, Porcelain Manufacturing, Yuan Dynasty Archaeology
We touched on underglaze red earlier, but a deeper look at the specific use of copper red during the Yuan is valuable. The use of copper to achieve red tones in underglaze decoration was one of the most technically challenging techniques mastered by Yuan Dynasty potters, and the difficulty in the production of this colour makes surviving examples of Yuan period red pottery especially valuable.
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