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Fujian Jian Zhan Baiding Porcelain Workshop Profile

Overview

Fujian Jian Zhan Baiding Porcelain Workshop is a studio dedicated to the creation and cultural heritage of Jian Zhan, located in Jianyang District, Nanping City, Fujian Province—the birthplace of Song Dynasty Jian Zhan. Rooted in traditional craftsmanship and enhanced with modern design innovations, Baiding Workshop is committed to reviving and advancing the kiln-firing techniques of Jian Zhan. Its works combine artistic beauty and practical use, have won numerous national awards, and have become a representative brand in today’s Jian Zhan field.

Historical Background & Cultural Heritage

• The Historical Significance of Jian Zhan: Jian Zhan originated in the late Tang and Five Dynasties, flourished in the Song Dynasty, and was once the royal tea ware of choice, famed for glazes such as “Hare’s Fur” and “Partridge Spots.” After the fall of the Song Dynasty, the craft was lost until its revival in 1981. In 2011, the “Jian Kiln Jian Zhan Firing Technique” was listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China.

• The Mission of Baiding Workshop: Founded by artisans Luo Renjie and Huang Xiangdi, the workshop upholds the principle of “preserving intangible cultural heritage while innovating for modern aesthetics,” merging traditional techniques with contemporary design to promote the renaissance of Jian Zhan culture.

Craftsmanship Features

1. Materials & Process

   • Raw Materials: Uses the unique kaolin clay and hematite from Shuiji Town, Jianyang, ensuring the distinctive “iron body” (high iron content, dark black clay).

   • Production Process: Adheres to 13 traditional steps, including ore selection, crushing, washing, batching, aging, kneading, throwing, trimming, bisque firing, glazing, kiln loading, and firing. All stages are handmade, highlighting artisan skill.

   • Key Techniques:

     • Qingyun Glaze Technique: Integrates carving with glaze application to create dynamic imagery of auspicious beasts (such as qilin and pixiu) that subtly appear and vanish under natural light, resembling mystical “cloud patterns.”

     • Silver-Thread Water-Sprout Technique: Features thin-bodied, fully glazed designs. The surface appears as clear as flowing water, with rim proportions blending the simplicity of Song Jian Zhan and the refinement of modern aesthetics.

2. Representative Works

   • Qingyun Set: Inspired by the Four Auspicious Beasts—Qilin, Pixiu, Dragon Turtle, and Dragon—carved on the surface. The glaze shifts with light, making the mythical creatures appear or disappear. Acclaimed as “a breakthrough in Jian Zhan craftsmanship.”

   • Silver-Thread Water-Sprout Collection: Includes handmade bell-shaped cups with delicate, thread-like glaze textures and a fully glazed finish, praised as the “best ergonomic design of the year.”

Honors & Achievements

• National Awards: Multiple works have won top honors in China’s arts and crafts industry, including the prestigious Golden Ding Award and Baihe Award in the Fujian ceramics sector (2025).

• Intangible Cultural Heritage Transmission: Actively involved in the preservation and promotion of Jian Kiln Jian Zhan techniques. Workshop artisans have been recognized as provincial and national intangible cultural heritage inheritors.

• Cultural Outreach: Through platforms such as Douyin (TikTok China) and Xiaohongshu (RED), Baiding Workshop reaches younger audiences, revitalizing traditional craft appreciation in modern society.

Cultural Significance & Innovation

• Fusion of History and Modernity: While retaining classic Jian Zhan features such as “iron body,” “hare’s fur,” and “oil spot,” Baiding Workshop introduces innovative glazes and shapes. Unique effects like the “Qingyun Glaze” lend Jian Zhan new artistic vitality.

• Lifestyle Aesthetics: Advocates that Jian Zhan is not merely tea ware but also an artistic vessel for cultural and philosophical reflection. The workshop promotes a lifestyle of “tea appreciation and spiritual cultivation,” resonating with contemporary interest in traditional culture.

Conclusion

With intangible heritage at its core, Fujian Jian Zhan Baiding Porcelain Workshop fuses craftsmanship, artistry, and innovation to bring the thousand-year-old Jian Zhan tradition into modern life. Its works not only inherit the essence of Song Jian Zhan but also present unique aesthetic and practical value, earning admiration from collectors and tea enthusiasts worldwide. As a benchmark brand in today’s Jian Zhan industry, Baiding Workshop plays a vital role in preserving and advancing the legacy of Chinese black-glazed ceramics.