Chinese traditional porcelain

Author: Pan Jialai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: Porcelain is the emblem of Chinese civilization and a precious material and cultural heritage that China has contributed to the world. In Traditional Chinese Porcelain, the author visited sites such as the Ru Kiln Ruins in Henan, the Yue Kiln Ruins on Shanglin Lake, porcelain production areas around Jingdezhen in Jiangxi, and the Southern Song Dynasty Imperial Kiln Ruins, obtaining a wealth of firsthand field research materials. Traditional Chinese Porcelain introduces the definition of porcelain, porcelain-making techniques, famous kilns through the ages, the porcelain capital of Jingdezhen, and knowledge of porcelain appreciation. The book is comprehensive, richly illustrated, and features up-to-date information, making it suitable for porcelain enthusiasts.
From the of stone fragments, human civilization has advanced step by step through the relentless labor of human hands, presenting the colorful world we see today. In the three centuries since industrialization, we have entrusted too much work to machines. However, machine-made products are often too rigid and uniform. When surrounded by these mass-produced items, we suddenly realize that life has lost its spirit, beauty, and classical charm. As a result, more and more people are seeking out the objects their ancestors made and used by hand. Porcelain fragments, jade pendants, silver hairpins, wooden utensils—blocks of wood carving, purple clay teapots, even bricks and tiles—all have been meticulously crafted by ancestors with their hands, retaining their warmth and bearing the marks of our nation's heritage. Occasionally discovering such treasures brings immense joy and solace, as they are cherished during the process of searching and handling.
Traditional handicrafts are an important part of China's excellent cultural heritage. Chinese jade, silk, lacquerware, porcelain, and Ming and Qing Dynasty furniture are among the finest handicrafts in the world, achieving remarkable accomplishments in both craftsmanship and aesthetic artistry. However, under the long-standing Confucian cultural atmosphere that emphasized principles over objects, the making of utensils was long regarded as a trivial skill unworthy of attention. In official records and historical chronicles throughout the ages, the achievements and contributions of artisans are rarely documented, and when mentioned at all, they are only briefly noted or entirely omitted. The most detailed historical records available are limited to works such as The Rites of Zhou: The Examination of the Work of the Five Arts and Treatise on the Mysterious Arts of Nature.
Compiling this Traditional Chinese Handicraft Culture Series is an invitation to readers to return to the countryside, visit handicraft workshops, meet artisans and collectors, and listen to the untold stories behind these crafts.