The enduring value of Chinese antique porcelain

When it comes to fine ceramics, famous European names such as Rosenthal, Royal Doulton, Royal Albert, Wedgwood and Waterford are brands that spring to mind. The name Jingdezhen, the capital of China's pottery industry in Jiangxi Province, is largely unknown to people outside China despite boasting a porcelain making history of more than 1,000 years.

But the glory of Chinese ceramics is deeply carved in a bygone era. The name "china" is derived from the name of the country and comes from the transliteration of Changnan, which was the old name for the town in today's Jingdezhen (Jingde Town). During the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), people combined the advantages of celadon from the southern Yue kiln and white porcelain from the northern Xing kiln with the high-quality earth of the Gaoling Mountain in Changan Town to produce a type of white and green porcelain.

This porcelain was smooth and bright, and earned another name, artificial jade. It became famous both in China and elsewhere. It was exported to Europe in large quantities since people there didn't know how to make porcelain until the 18th century.

Porcelain's identity is so intertwined with China that it is still called "china" in everyday English usage.

China is richly endowed with the raw materials needed for ceramics and high-fired and low-fired ceramics are the main branches of porcelain.

Some experts believe the first true china was made in Zhejiang during the Eastern Han period. Shards recovered from archeological sites in the province indicate craftsmen used a firing temperature ranging from 1,260 to 1,300 degrees Celsius. During the Sui and Tang periods (AD 581-907) a wide range of low-fired and high-fired ceramics were produced. These included the well-known Tang lead-glazed sancai (three-color) pieces.

The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) witnessed an extraordinary period of innovation in ceramics. Kilns investigated new techniques in design and shapes, showing a predilection for color and painted designs. They also were open to foreign forms. For example, Emperor Yongle (1402–24) was especially curious about other countries and enjoyed unusual shapes, many inspired by Islamic metalwork.

In addition to these decorative innovations, the late Ming period underwent a dramatic shift toward a market economy, exporting porcelain on an unprecedented scale. Kilns in Jingdezhen became the main production center for large-scale porcelain exports to Europe starting with the reign of Emperor Wanli (1572–1620).

Jingdezhen, the cradle of "China's china" has been a central place of production since the early Han Dynasty. In 1004, Jingde established the city as the main production hub for Imperial porcelain. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, porcelain made in the city and other southern China kiln sites used crushed and refined pottery stones.