Chinese porcelain – specifically Jingdezhen porcelain – enjoys a history that is almost as expansive as China itself.
For travelers to Shanghai, a firsthand experience of China’s best porcelain and ceramics can be found at Jingdezhen Porcelain Artware Co.
Expect to find examples of the finest quality traditional Chinese porcelain. Yes, there are serious nods to all things blue and white, but you’ll also find a veritable trove of other unique and one-off porcelain treasures in every colour.
Serious collectors – or those simply wanting a special memento from their travels – can indulge themselves at Jingdezhen Porcelain Artware Co. As a state-owned enterprise, Jingdezhen Porcelain Artware Co enjoys access to wonderful skilled master artisans and ceramists who create the beautiful artworks available in store.
Want to learn more about what makes Jingdezhen porcelain so special? Let’s share its secrets with you.
Why is Jingdezhen porcelain so treasured?
It seems the creativity of the Chinese couldn’t be confined when it came to the art of Jingdezhen porcelain.
Originating during the Han Dynasty, this unique art form continued to evolve through the course of five successive dynasties. Good things take time, after all!
Jingdezhen is actually a remote town in the south of China. Its proximity to quality deposits of porcelain stone and surrounding forests which provided wood for kilns made it the ideal place for production of imperial porcelain.
The masterful artisans who created the pieces, both past and present, have long been acknowledged for their skill at producing white porcelain, which is one of the reasons Jingdezhen porcelain is highly valued by collectors of antique porcelain all over the world.
Looking closely at any piece of Jingdezhen porcelain you’ll discover its unique appearance. In fact, in all its forms, Jingdezhen porcelain has been described poetically by local Chinese people ‘as thin as paper, white as jade, bright as a mirror, and producing the sound of a bell’. It’s not hard to see why so many people are captivated by its allure.
Jingdezhen porcelain elegantly combines a number of artistic skills, with calligraphy, painting, sculpture and poetry among them. These are beautifully represented in distinctive patterns; most frequently blue and white, but the many hues found on this tradition of porcelain go well beyond these staple colors.
Evocative imagery is also synonymous with Jingdezhen porcelain. Exquisite scenes, traditional stories, and stunning art are captured in colorful glazes, while the paler bluish-white porcelain that looks almost jade-like is equally impressive. And for a different kind of impression, many are attracted by the translucent carved eggshell technique, which was another innovation brought about by imperial artisans. This unique artistry endures even today, with skilled craftsman at the Jingdezhen Porcelain Artware Co preserving it in precious and unique pieces.
Why invest in a piece of Jingdezhen porcelain?
New destinations often draw us to treasures that provide reminders of what we learned, saw, and shared on our travels. A visit to this special store certainly lends truth to that view.
While cheap and shiny souvenirs are plentiful and everywhere in China, there are few things that can match the authentically beautiful appeal of what can be found in a carefully selected piece of Jingdezhen porcelain. You can, quite literally, feel the artistry and thoughtfulness which has been brought to every piece by its creator.
The emperors of China commissioned porcelain ware for use in their courts, making them highly artistic, as well as functional pieces. Yes, it’s true there are many decorative items to be found, however, a piece of Jingdezhen porcelain is intended to work for its owner.
Now, local Chinese people and collectors from around the world – and maybe you too – can use these artful treasures for real living.
Ready to make a selection? Be sure to choose a piece that can stand alone, as well as blend in with what you own. With so many colors available, this is easy to do.
A visit to Shanghai offers the chance for a truly authentic experience of some of Chinese finest porcelain. If you’re in town, be sure to stop by Jingdezhen Porcelain Artware Co for inspiration. You’ll be happy you did.
ChinaTours.com is dedicated to helping western travelers enjoy a genuine experience of China, including the discovery of unique and special places that showcase the finest in art and culture. Our local guides are knowledgeable about their destination and can help you discover special places and treasures, just like Jingdezhen Porcelain Artware Co. We operate tours to, from, and in Shanghai every day of the year, so why wait to book yours? Enquire via our contact form and we’ll respond within 24 hours. We’d love to create a China culture experience you’ll remember always.
About the author
Great tour with Linda in Beijing
