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Celadon Porcelain Celadon Porcelain    Celadon ranks amongst the oldest of porcelain products. The origins of Celadon and its coming to being dates to Zhou Dynasty and Warring States periods of Chinese history( 1100 - 221 BC ). The developments in kiln technology during the Bronze-age and Iron-age meant that the temperatures at which pottery could be fired were dramatically increased. The painted pottery that was a feature of the Neolithic, Xia periods ( 10,000 BC - 1600 BC ) was fired at around 650 - 700 degrees Celsius and this was increased to 900 - 1100 degrees during the Shang Dynasty ( 1600 - 1100 BC ). The transition from the Bronze-age to the Iron-age is marked by an increase in kiln temperatures. This increase in temperature when applied to pottery produced chemical changes in the structure of the fired product. Chemical Transformation: The chemical changes, that take place with the firing process, results in a product transformation from pottery to porcelain. Pottery is usually fired at temperatures between 700 - 950 degrees Celsius. When the firing temperature is increase to above 1,100 degrees Celcius the silicates within the clay begin to melt and fuse with the clay particles which are refractory; that is they retain their form when heated unlike the silicates. The fusing of the silicates and clay material, with feldspar acting as a flux, creates the glassy quality of porcelain. The optimum temperature for high quality porcelain is 1280 Degrees Celsius. Most porcelains are produced requiring two firing processes, the first is a low temperature baking of the bisque which is the glazed and re-fired at the higher temperature. Celadon porcelain is produced usually with a single firing process. Celadon porcelain is primarily produced within the regions af the Yellow River valley and the northern areas of China. The raw materials from these regions are most suitable for Celadon porcelains while, the Raw materials from regions south of the Yellow River are more inclined to be used for the production of the classical porcelains that are of the Ming and Qing styles. Celadon porcelain is produced using traditional methods. The pottery wheel is used for the shaping and forming of the products which are then set aside to dry for a week to ten days. Once the surface has dried to a dry and firm condition the product is then engraved with the surface decoration. This is a process that is entirely done by hand. Sometimes areas of the outer layer of the vessel are deeply inscribed or entirely cut away to add a depth to the texture of the porcelain. The depth of the inscribed surface may be as much as half of the wall thickness.  Once the porcelain has been decorated with the desired pattern the work will then be hand painted with a colour glaze to enhance the design; this may incorporate three or four separate colours. This is allowed to dry and a final layer of a clear glaze is applied to the surface. This outer glaze may be applied either by brush, dipping or by immersion. The porcelains are then allowed to further dry for a period of a week before they are placed into the kiln for firing. Celadon Porcelain is fired at between 1200 and 1250 degrees Celsius. Celadon Porcelain of ChenLu No one knows when Celadon porcelain was first produced in Chenlu. Chenlu is an ancient town, it is known to have existed during the Zhou Dynasty and in all probability existed long before that time. To look upon Chenlu is to look back in time, even today the only real changes are the presence of a couple of sealed roads and a few motor vehicles, electricity and the telephone. Chenlu is located approximately 120 kms from Xi'an in Shannxi Province in China's Yellow River regions. It is a town build into the side of a range of steep hills, surrounded by mountains; but, it is also a town where for countless centuries the highest quality of Celadon Porcelain has been produced. The traditions of two thousand years still continue in Chenlu, Celadon porcelain has been the staple product of the area for centuries, The mining of the coal for the kilns, the excavation of the clays, and the sourcing of all the raw materials are all part of the local economy. They have been doing it this way for countless centuries and they don't want to change now. Celadon from Chenlu is produced by hand. the body is created on a wheel and all of the design and pattern is finished by the local crafts people. The body of a porcelain is usually produced by the men while it is the women who do the engraving of the designs and apply the glazing coatings. The designs produced today are essentially of two types: Firstly; traditional porcelain designs are produced and patterned in a traditional style as they have been for over a thousand years. The style of the engraved surface of the porcelains have not changed over time. Secondly; new, and more contemporary designs are being produced using the traditional methods with wonderful results. While the best known forms of porcelain are those of the classical "Blue and White " designs and styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties it is the Celadon Porcelains from Chenlu that have grown in popularity. While Cities like Jindezhen and Changsha have moved into producing porcelain on a massive commercial basis to supply the tourist market Chendu, has maintained and continues to produce product that is of the highest quality without the pressure to supply a vast market. Chenlu Celadon is quality of product and design in a traditional style. Contact Information: Email : admin@silkporcelain.com |
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