Step 3: Decorating

Decorations are irreplaceable to Jianshui Pottery as the painting or calligraphy from a famous artist can significantly increase the market value of a product. The machinery widely used in Yixin and Jingdezhen cannot be seen here because the base is still too soft.

An artisan carves a decoration onto the surface of a ceramic pot on July 23, 2014. [Photo/China Daily]

Step 4: Carving and filling

The decoration seen on the surface of a pot is actually created through carving, instead of painted like other kinds of pottery. The artisans will carve the decorated area on the surface and fill the notch again with clay of another color. This skill is unique in Jianshui and extremely difficult. The difference of humidity will produce bubbles, destroying the whole product. The task "carving and filling" is mostly done by women, but their names are often forgotten when a product gets famous.

A female artisan fills a notch with the soil on July 24, 2014. [Photo/Chinadaily]