China

Jingdezhen porcelain is a treasure of Chinese craftsmanship, and its history is filled with fascinating stories. Jingdezhen, located in Jiangxi Province, is often referred to as the "capital of porcelain" due to its central role in the evolution of this craft, which dates back over 1,000 years. It was during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) that the first forms of fine porcelain were produced on an industrial scale, revolutionizing not only ceramics in China but also its trade around the world. An interesting anecdote concerns the origin of the iconic blue and white porcelain, which has become one of the most famous types worldwide. An anonymous artisan from Jingdezhen, in the early Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), is said to have accidentally created porcelain of exceptional purity by using a particularly refined type of local kaolin. This material allowed the creation of ceramics with brilliant whiteness, which, when combined with cobalt blue painted patterns, quickly became a symbol of China's rich cultural and artistic heritage. The trade of this porcelain extended far beyond China's borders. In the 17th century, during the Ming Dynasty, Jingdezhen porcelain was exported to Europe, where it became highly sought after by kings, emperors, and collectors. It is said that a Portuguese merchant in the 1500s even had to hide a set of porcelain in his ship during his return journey to Europe, to protect his precious cargo from pirates. This act not only marked the commercial significance of porcelain but also its aesthetic appeal, influencing European artistic styles. Today, Jingdezhen continues to produce this legendary ceramic, preserving a tradition that is over a thousand years old. Local artisans, often trained from a young age, follow ancient techniques to create porcelain as delicate and refined as that made by their ancestors. This craftsmanship, passed down through generations, remains a central pillar of Chinese cultural identity and a symbol of global craftsmanship.