Jianshui Purple Pottery: greatness is within

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2014-07-29

Step 5: Firing

The major difference between pottery and porcelain is firing temperature. For the former, the firing temperature is around 900 C, the latter from 1,200 to 1,300 C. The firing temperature of Jianshui Pottery is over 1,100 C. The ingredients of Jianshui Pottery are very similar to porcelain, and the high temperature makes it as hard as iron.

Step 6: Polishing

Except "carving and filling", another advantage that makes Jianshui Pottery stand out is the polishing. Most pottery is polished with enamel, a substance like glass containing quartz, feldspars and kaolin. Jianshui Pottery is polished only with tools such as pebbles. The delicate texture, splendid curves and bright surface of Jianshui Pottery comes from its special polishing skills.

Jianshui Purple Pottery: greatness is within
An artisan polishes the fired jug with a tool on July 23, 2014. [Photo/China Daily]

Competitiveness of Jianshui Pottery

From a moribund industry 10 years ago to the new wealth that is reshaping the pottery market today in China, Jianshui Pottery has created an overall output of 250 million yuan ($40 million) in 2013, a hundredfold that of 10 years ago. As one of the booming sectors, Jianshui Pottery has been attracting thousands of professionals from all over the country. Xie Heng, director of the Purple Pottery Association in Jianshui, said, "Our pottery artists hail from different regions such as Beijing, Shanghai, Jingdezhen, Hubei and Sichuan." However, official statistics show that 80 percent of the sales come from Yunnan province, principally from Kunming, Honghe and Pu'er. "Jianshui Pottery is still far from being competitive, especially compared with Yixin Pottery and Jingdezhen ceramics. The market will change completely if we can broaden its recognition in other places," said Xie.

 

 By Yang Di, Ge Jieru and edited by Michael Thai

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