The Legend of Blood Red Porcelain

In 1982, an ancient imperial kiln with many pieces of red under glaze porcelain was accidentally found. Archeologists found many of the pieces could be glued together to make complete items. It seemed that these pieces were destroyed intentionally. Closer examination showed no obvious defects, some pieces were extremely skilled and still lustrous even after hundreds of years.

The revival of Jihong porcelain making

Western scholars examined the chemical ingredients of Jihong porcelain in the 19th century, but their attempt to reproduce similar porcelain with red under glaze failed.

In the 1950s, Jingdezhen established a center to produce colored under glaze, summoning seasoned craftsmen to research the firing techniques for various high-quality porcelains including Jihong.

Although there has been a porcelain industry in Jingdezhen for thousands of years, the red under glaze formula has always been a secret, passed down only within families. Luck and experience also played important roles in producing rare works like Jihong porcelain. 、

After persistent testing, researchers finally made some refined Jihong works that are just as beautiful as those from the Qing Dynasty. They were made with traditional kilns, and 35 tons of wood were burned to produce them.

In 1986, researchers in Jingdezhen tried to make the porcelain using gas, but it turned out black. After several adjustments to the glaze formula, they finally produced porcelain with red under glaze using another substitute fuel.

During their experiments, the researchers also found out why ancient red under glaze porcelain ware bottles, bowls, plates, and boxes were no taller than 40 cm. The red under glaze could only be made within a specific temperature, with a temperature difference no more than five degrees Celsius. But in traditional kilns, the temperature dropped varied by about ten degrees Celsius for every meter away from the furnace.

Modern gas kilns have relatively steady temperatures and with their help, Jingdezhen craftsmen finally made three 62cm tall vases with beautiful red under glaze, which were presented to Japanese and Turkish governmental heads.

Another porcelain with red under glaze that could withstand very high temperatures was produced recently in Hunan Province. Its color and quality are as good as Jihong porcelain, and the mysterious ancient technique was finally revived. The new porcelain is named "Chinese Red Porcelain."

Editor: Liu Xiongfei