Dhaka: China's porcelain city, Jingdezhen, renowned as the "Porcelain Capital," is witnessing a revival as artists carry forward its centuries-old heritage. Chen Qing, a local porcelain artist, recalls her grandfather's secret family formula for their unique red pigment, passed down through generations. Her family has been practicing this craft in Jingdezhen since around 1860, a city with a pottery-making history dating back over 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the meticulous craftsmanship in Jingdezhen preserves ancient techniques once used for creating porcelain for China's imperial court. These techniques spread to private artisans after the Qing Dynasty's fall in 1912. Chen's family has upheld these traditions, with her mother revealing the secret formula only when Chen was over 30 years old. Crafting porcelain is an intricate skill that takes years to master, requiring precision and patience, as even the smallest imperfection can ruin a piece.
Artists like Chen collaborate with archaeological sites and museums to safeguard China's porcelain heritage. The Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Institute is at the forefront of this preservation effort, restoring ceramics excavated from ancient kilns. The institute employs modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, to reconstruct ancient porcelain fragments, offering insights into the cultural and religious influences that shaped porcelain-making centuries ago.
Jingdezhen's porcelain legacy continues to attract artists from around the world. Residency programs and universities are bringing a new wave of Chinese and international artists to the city. Italian ceramic artist Paola Masi and Chinese artist Huang Qi are among those who have found inspiration in Jingdezhen. The city's recent inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List has further boosted the confidence of local artists, ensuring that Jingdezhen's rich heritage of porcelain craftsmanship will endure for future generations.