Bartosz Turczynski, a 20-year-old Polish student, stood captivated before a glass display case at the Guangdong Museum of Art. He was studying Princess Yushu, a porcelain sculpture with robes so thin they seemed to dissolve into light.
"This is Chinese luxury," he said, marveling at the delicate piece. "Other countries could never replicate this. It's so elegant. The soft, graceful light on it fills me with awe."
The sculpture, created by master ceramic artist Lian Deli, is renowned for its astonishingly intricate details, including translucent clothing and finely carved strands of hair, some measuring just 0.2 millimeters in thickness — "as thin as cicada wings", a hallmark of Dehua porcelain craftsmanship.
"This is the thinnest Dehua porcelain work ever made," Lian said. "It took me nearly seven years and hundreds of failed firings to complete. I had to constantly adjust the clay mixture and carefully control the kiln temperature, which requires extremely precise skill — and a bit of luck."
Dehua porcelain, originating from the ancient ceramic hub of Dehua county in Fujian province, has a legacy spanning more than 3,700 years. Known for its luminous whiteness and technical precision, it has long been regarded as one of China's finest ceramic traditions.
Yet, behind its ethereal beauty lies a craft defined by extreme difficulty. The porcelain artist Zhou Yao explains the complexity.
"From a single kiln firing of about 20 pieces, perhaps only one will succeed," he said. "Every step — shaping, carving, drying, and firing — requires absolute precision. Even a slight variation in temperature or structure can cause a piece to crack or collapse."
Despite the painstaking process, porcelain pieces from Dehua remain highly valued for their artistry and rarity. And today, Dehua porcelain is being reinterpreted by a new generation of artists, blending tradition with innovation.
Young artists are pushing the boundaries of the craft while honoring its legacy. Lai Xirong, born after 2000, is one of them.
