Often referred to as the “porcelain capital”, Jingdezhen has a long and rich history of creating finely handcrafted porcelain. It is one of China’s most famous cultural and historical cities with many coming to the Jiangxi Province to purchase its stunning porcelain objects.

Jingdezhen is connected to many rivers which provide the city with access to the Yangtze River. This allowed the porcelain wares to be transported easily to other provinces and seaports. This is one of the main reasons why Jingdezhen porcelain could be found throughout China and Southeast Asia as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

There are four recognizable features which help distinguish Jingdezhen porcelain. It should be as white as jade, as bright as a mirror, thin as paper and resemble the sound of a chime when struck.

There are many different glaze colors and styles of Jingdezhen porcelain. Yingqing porcelain is known for its white and green glaze. Wucai porcelain has red, green, yellow, blue and purple enamels applied to the white porcelain to create a mixture of colored patterns. Famille rose is based on the Wucai style, however, it features complex patterns and images with detailed drawings and a steady color.

Blue and white underglaze porcelain is the most famous of the styles and is known for its exquisite designs and shiny texture. Emerging in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), craftsmen have perfected the formula and techniques for creating amazing porcelain art. The patterns are made from cobalt pigments painted onto the unbaked mould. It is then painted over with a transparent glaze to create the famous blue and white style and fired in the kiln at a high temperature. The mixture of the glaze and cobalt oxide forms the unique blue and white style.

Jingdezhen porcelain is made from porcelain stones and kaolin which can be found in abundance in the mountains surrounding Jingdezhen. Quartz, potassium, mica and feldspar form the precious porcelain stones which allow craftsmen to create stunning works of art. The craftsman molds the porcelain into the desired shape which is then fired in a kiln. The temperature of the kiln determines the color of the glaze and the texture of the porcelain.

Jingdezhen has been producing forms of porcelain ware since the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). It matured into a well established industry in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) with many articles transported around China and overseas.

Jingdezhen became the dominant producer of porcelain in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Jingdezhen was originally known as Xinping, however, its name was changed when Emperor Jingde of the Song Dynasty announced Jingdezhen porcelain as the official porcelain of the imperial court. All porcelain wares from this era were marked with the words “made in the Jingde period”

An official office was established in the city in the Yuan Dynasty to oversee the production and distribution of porcelain ware.

Jingdezhen porcelain peaked in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) as it continued to be the center of the ceramic industry. Skills and techniques were perfected and refined with many new varieties and types created by talented craftsmen. Government kilns were set up throughout Jingdezhen to cater exclusively for the needs of the imperial court.

Jingdezhen is currently supporting the preservation and promotion of Jingdezhen porcelain through a number of initiatives and schemes. The Ceramics Research Institute was founded in 1958 and applauded for its teachings and research in ceramic art design. A ceramic museum was also set up to display famous ancient and modern porcelain art form Jingdezhen.

For centuries, Jingdezhen porcelain has been considered China’s main centre for porcelain production. With support from the government and other institutes, Jingdezhen porcelain remains a valued and treasured art of China.