Heilongjiang ceramics, originating and developing in the icy and snowy region of northeastern China, holds a distinctive charm in the history of Chinese ceramics. Across the ages, various cultures such as Xinkailiu, Bohai, and Jinyuan, dating back to 7,000 to13,000 years ago, have each contributed their unique ceramic traditions. Among these, the Shangjing ceramics, stemming from the Jinyuan culture over 900 years ago, stands as the most representative.
Blending the essence of Sushen, Bohai, and Jinyuan cultures with the signature“ice and snow” elements of Heilongjiang, the Shangjing ceramics strikes a delicate balance between tradition and innovation. It employs locally sourced kaolin for the clay and Xing'an larch branches as fuel. The fring process takes a continuous78 hours, producing ceramic items boasting unique regional traits with fascinating gold and icy hues, such as the “Shangjing Gold Ceramics”and the“Shangjing Ice Ceramics”.
An unglazed firing technique is adopted, where the clay is directly loaded into the kiln without the application of artificial glaze. As the firing process takes place at temperatures surpassing 1,000℃(around 1,832F) for several days, a natural glaze layer forms on the surface of the items, giving a distinctive artistic touch to each piece.
Here is an explanation of how the kiln change process takes place: the wood ash falls onto the clay pieces inside the kiln and starts to melt once the temperature reaches over 1,000C. The mineral components in the ash will then physically and chemically interact with the silicon, iron, and other components in the clay body under high- temperature conditions, and result in a natural glaze layer. Varying levels of oxidization and reduction give birth to a diverse range of patterns and a myriad of color hues. This phenomenon is often described as“one shade before, and a million after", highlighting the wonder of nature's artistry, unmatched by human endeavors.
Our R&D team independently designed anddeveloped the largest low-temperature-region, cross-draft, wood-fired kiln in China for the production ofShangjing ceramics. Currently, two kiln firings takeplace every year, with each cycle lasting six months(five months of clay body production and one monthof kiln firing). Each fring will produce 1,300 to 3,000pieces of Shangjing ceramics, depending on theproduct size.
It is a rewarding journey filled with challenges and joy. As the kiln door opens, revealing the final products, whether it is amid scorching summer days of over 30C or freezing winter days of -30℃, nearly a month of hardworking transform into a sense of delightful satisfaction.
Loading, the most crucial step in the production process, is often described to be “as delicate as embroidering a flowery pattern". It takes about three days in spring and autumn and can take up to ten days in summer and winter, as temperature has a major impact on the process. During this stage,artisans install the supporting stilts under the raw clay bodies and arrange them in the kiln according to a carefully designed layout based on the specific positioning of the items.
Once the kiln is loaded, the door is sealed, and the firing stage begins. In line with tradition, a worship ritual is held to honor the kiln god before ignition, a gesture of respect for nature and a celebration of local culture. With the ceremony completed, a continuous and laborious journey of at least 78 hours of high-temperature firing starts, during which ceramic artisans split wood, add fuel, and monitor the temperature day and night. This stage requires the burning of approximately 40m’ of larch branches at temperatures exceeding 1,000C. Subsequently, the artisans patiently wait for another seven or eight days as the kiln gradually cools down after the fire is stopped.
Then, the most exhilarating moment arrives as the kiln reaches the ambient temperature. With a blend of anxious anticipation, the artisans unseal the door to reap the rewards of their labor from nature. As the door opens, mystery unveils and a fascinating sight unfolds before people's eyes - marvelous creations crafted from the Five Elements in traditional Chinese philosophy: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.
Due to the intricate and demanding techniques required in the firing process, the current success rate is approximately 60% to 70% for each firing. Among them, around 30% are fine pieces,10% are exceptional pieces, and a rare 1% are treasure pieces. Each ceramic product above the fine- product level is considered a truly rare and exquisite masterpiece.
In contrast to traditional ceramics, which often exhibit hues of blue, white, black, red, or polychrome, the Shangjing Gold Ceramics stands out with its unique golden brilliance. The glaze, transformed naturally in the kiln, boasts a wide range of shades from yellow to orange-red, while the exceptional pieces showcase a glaze with color and luster akin to precious gold. These rare artworks truly demonstrate the mystical synergy between the earth and wood of this region. The name, Shangjing Gold Ceramics, nicely describes the golden glow of the products and simultaneously pays homage to the enduring legacy of the local Jinyuan Culture (literally meaning the“Gold Source” Culture).
The Shangjing Ice Ceramics is another local treasure, distinguished by the glaze's exquisite crystal- clear and translucent quality and adorned with delicate crackles, both gifted by the natural kiln change process. The name “Ice Ceramics” also carries a dual significance, as it not only captures the ice-like hues of the glaze but also embodies the essence of the unique ice and snow culture of Heilongjiang Province.
Experiments have revealed that when Shangjing ceramics are used to contain wine or water, they release beneficial microelements including calcium, zinc, potassium, sodium, and iron, which not only improve water quality but also give a richer taste to the beverages. In2019, the “Renowned Artists and Exquisite Wares”section of A Comprehensive Research on Chinese Tea Ware, an encyclopedic reference book compiled by the China Arts and Crafts Association,features my profile and introduces the Shangjing Gold Ceramics of our team. It is the only ceramic product from Heilongjiang Province to be included in this book.
In the future, the Shangjing Ceramics will continue to dig into the rich local culture and pursue innovation.Our goal is to design and craft a more diverse range of novel and distinctive ceramic works, contributing to the further continuation and promotion of Heilongjiang's unique, cherished ceramics heritage.
