how it's made

The Art Behind Qing Hua (青花) Porcelain

Creating Qing Hua (青花), or blue-and-white porcelain, is a meticulous process that combines centuries-old techniques with the artistry of skilled craftsmen. Here’s how this iconic porcelain comes to life:

Step 1

Selecting the Clay

The journey begins with carefully chosen kaolin clay, prized for its purity and durability. This special clay is sourced to ensure the porcelain achieves its signature smoothness, strength, and translucence.

Step 2

Shaping The Piece

Master artisans mold the clay into elegant shapes on a potter’s wheel. Each piece is shaped with precision, reflecting both functionality and aesthetic balance.

Step 3

Sketching the Design

Once the clay has dried to a leather-hard consistency, the intricate designs are meticulously sketched onto the surface using fine brushes dipped in cobalt oxide pigment. This blue pigment reacts during firing to produce the vibrant cobalt blue that Qing Hua is known for.

Step 4

Applying The Glaze

After the design is complete, the piece is coated in a transparent glaze. This glaze not only protects the artwork but also enhances the vibrancy of the cobalt blue while preserving the delicate white background.

Step 5

Firing The Kiln

The glazed porcelain is fired in a kiln at extremely high temperatures—typically 1,300°C (2,372°F). The intense heat transforms the clay into durable porcelain, setting the design and creating the glass-like surface characteristic of Qing Hua.

Step 6

Final Inspection

Each piece undergoes a thorough inspection to ensure the design’s clarity, the glaze’s smoothness, and the porcelain’s structural integrity. Only flawless pieces embody the true elegance and craftsmanship of Qing Hua.