Jingdezhen has been producing porcelain since the Five Dynasties period, marking a thousand-year development journey. Its porcelain is exquisite beyond compare, whether it's the elegant and delicate blue and white porcelain or the vibrantly colored painted porcelain, both embody the rich ceramic culture of the porcelain capital. What are the characteristics of Jingdezhen ceramics? How should one select from the vast array of Jingdezhen ceramics available?
"Jingdezhen ceramics come in a wide variety of categories. Functionally, they can be classified into daily-use ceramics, gift ceramics, architectural ceramics, and so on," said renowned artist Zou Ziliang. Jingdezhen art ceramics possess a unique style characterized by "whiteness like jade, brightness like a mirror, thinness like paper, and a sound like a chime bell.".
"White as jade" refers to the delicate and white texture of the porcelain body, with a lustrous color between the body and glaze; "bright as a mirror" means that when the porcelain is viewed against the light, one can see its delicate and translucent texture, smooth glaze, and crystal-clear enamel." Master Zou Ziliang also said, "Thin as paper" refers to the porcelain's body being as thin as paper; "sound like a gong" indicates that when you strike a Jingdezhen porcelain piece, you can hear a beautiful gong-like sound like that produced by a musical instrument
Jingdezhen ceramics have always been regarded as a symbol of high quality. However, the Jingdezhen ceramic market is a mix of good and bad, with imitation products emerging endlessly. Zou Ziliang said that for ordinary consumers, the simplest method to distinguish Jingdezhen art ceramics is a four-word trick: "look", "listen", "touch", and "appraise".
Zou Ziliang once pointed to a famille rose porcelain plate work titled "The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove" and said, "Handmade porcelain plates may have some unevenness. They are fired through traditional craftsmanship, which gives the finished product a more spiritual aura." In addition, one should inspect the porcelain for spots on both the inner and outer surfaces. For painted porcelain, one should also check for harmonious colors and coherent lines.
Zou Ziliang said that consumers should gently tap the porcelain with their finger joints and listen carefully to the sound it produces. "Generally, if there is damage or the porcelain is of poor quality, the sound it produces will be relatively dull. Porcelain of higher quality will produce a crisper and more pleasant sound," he told reporters. Consumers can also touch the enamel of the porcelain with their hands. Porcelain of better quality will feel relatively delicate and moist.
A good porcelain piece also depends on its painting craftsmanship. "For example, for famille rose porcelain plates, it depends on whether the artist's painting skills are proficient, whether the lines drawn are clear, and whether the color matching is soft and lustrous," said Zou Ziliang. The pigments used in Jingdezhen art porcelain are all imported mineral pigments from Germany. They are derived from nature, with soft and rich colors that are not glaring. Moreover, they are not subject to oxidation and fading due to changes in temperature, humidity, and pH levels. They retain their beauty over time and have great collectible value.
