[Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]
Yixing Jun pottery making technique was designated as part of the fourth batch of national intangible cultural heritage items in 2014.
Origin
Yixing Jun pottery originated in glazed ceramics of the Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907). It developed further during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and flourished in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). By the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it had become a type of imperial ware.
Features
Yixing Jun pottery-making technique is a traditional method known for its Jun glaze and duihua decorations, which involve applying colored clay onto the pottery. This technique is unique to Dingshu town, Yixing, Wuxi.
Yixing Jun pottery features a wide variety of products, mainly practical crude pottery. Its designs are straightforward yet elegant, with a vintage charm and charming appeal. Jun ware is made from two types of clay: white and purple.
Production
The Jun pottery is distinguished by its thick coating, created by applying kiln glaze that forms on limestone kiln walls and contains phosphorus as a flux, giving it an opalescent appearance. Its manufacturing involves multiple steps: processing raw materials, shaping, glazing, duihua, and firing.
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