History

Jingdezhen, located in Jiangxi Province, China, is world-renowned for its exquisite ceramic art, earning the title "Porcelain Capital." The city's history of ceramics dates back two millennia to the Eastern Han Dynasty.

During the Song Dynasty, Jingdezhen ceramics began to show a unique artistic style, particularly known for its pure and subtle blue-white glaze. By the Yuan Dynasty, a significant innovation emerged—the birth of blue and white porcelain. This style, featuring blue patterns on white porcelain, was esteemed not only in China but also throughout other parts of Asia.

The Ming Dynasty marked the golden age of Jingdezhen ceramics, where the city was designated as the exclusive manufacturer of the imperial porcelain. Ceramics from this period are famous for their elegant shapes and rich decorations, including blue and white porcelain, Doucai (contrasting colors), and Fencai (pastel porcelain), among others.

The art of porcelain continued to thrive in Jingdezhen during the Qing Dynasty, especially under the reigns of Emperors Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong, reaching new heights in artistic innovation. During this era, the variety, color, and techniques of porcelain making greatly advanced. Notable for their exquisite detail, varieties such as underglaze red and pastel porcelain became particularly famous, coveted by collectors both domestically and internationally, and often given as state gifts to foreign dignitaries.

Today, Jingdezhen remains committed to its ceramic traditions while continually innovating upon its ancestral crafts. The city is dotted with studios and galleries where visitors can witness firsthand how simple clay is transformed into fine art. The porcelain from Jingdezhen is not just utilitarian; it represents a rich cultural significance and historical value, truly a treasure of art.

For those interested in handicrafts and Chinese culture, Jingdezhen and its ceramics offer a profound insight and experience that is deeply enriching.