Bai Ding · Water Sprout Goblet Cup| Fluid Grace · Luminous Glaze Fire · Handcrafted Jian Ware Teacup

Overview
Fujian Jian Zhan Bai Ding Ceramic Studio is dedicated to the production and cultural heritage of Jian Zhan, located in Jianyang District, Nanping City, Fujian Province — the birthplace of Jian Zhan in the Song Dynasty. Rooted in traditional craftsmanship and integrated with modern, innovative design, Bai Ding Ceramic Studio is committed to reviving and advancing the firing techniques of Jian Kiln Jian Zhan. Its works combine artistry and functionality, have won multiple national awards, and have become one of the representative brands in contemporary Jian Zhan making.

Historical Background & Cultural Heritage

The historical status of Jian Zhan:
Jian Zhan originated in the late Tang and Five Dynasties period and flourished during the Song Dynasty, once serving as imperial tea ware. Famous for glaze effects such as “Hare’s Fur” and “Partridge Spots,” the craft was lost after the fall of the Song Dynasty. It was not until 1981 that antique-style firing was revived, and in 2011, the “Jian Kiln Jian Zhan Firing Technique” was listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China.

The mission of Bai Ding Ceramic Studio:
Founded by artisans such as Luo Renjie and Huang Xiangdi, the studio upholds the philosophy of “inheriting intangible heritage, innovating for modern aesthetics.” It integrates traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design to promote the revival of Jian Zhan culture.

Craftsmanship & Technical Features

1. Materials & Process

· Raw materials: Using kaolin and hematite unique to Shuiji Town, Jianyang, to ensure the iconic “iron body” (high iron content, producing a deep black clay body).

· Production process: Following thirteen traditional steps — including ore selection, crushing, washing, ingredient mixing, aging, kneading, throwing, trimming, bisque firing, glazing, kiln loading, and final firing — all done by hand to highlight the artisan’s skill.

· Key techniques:

· Qingyun Glaze Technique: Combined with carving, creating dynamic visual effects of auspicious beasts (such as Qilin and Pixiu) that appear and fade under natural light, with a glaze surface resembling floating azure clouds — mysterious and ever-changing.

Silver Thread & Water Sprout Technique: Thin-bodied, fully glazed design, with a surface as clear and clean as flowing water. It retains the rustic charm of Song Jian Zhan while offering a refined modern touch.

2. Representative Works

· Qingyun Set: Themed around the Four Auspicious Beasts — Qilin, Pixiu, Dragon Turtle, and Dragon — with carvings that emerge or fade with the light, hailed as “a significant advancement in Jian Zhan artistry.”

· Silver Thread Water Sprout Masterpiece: Handcrafted bell-shaped cups with delicate silver-thread-like glaze, using a fully glazed thin body technique, praised as “the best ergonomic design of the year.”

Honors & Achievements

· National Awards: Multiple wins in top Chinese arts and crafts honors, such as the Jinding Award and the Baihe Award in the Fujian ceramics sector (2025).

· Intangible Heritage Inheritance: Active participation in the preservation and promotion of Jian Kiln Jian Zhan firing techniques; studio artisans recognized as provincial or national intangible cultural heritage inheritors.

· Cultural Promotion: Leveraging platforms such as Douyin and Xiaohongshu to showcase works, attracting younger audiences and promoting the modern dissemination of Jian Zhan culture.

Cultural Significance & Innovation

· Fusion of history and modernity: While retaining traditional Jian Zhan features such as the “iron body,” “hare’s fur,” and “oil spot” effects, Bai Ding Ceramic Studio innovates with new glaze colors and vessel shapes. The “Qingyun Glaze” with its hidden-appearance effect breathes new artistic life into Jian Zhan.

· Lifestyle aesthetics: Emphasizes that Jian Zhan is not merely tea ware but an artistic vessel carrying culture and philosophy, advocating a “tea tasting and self-cultivation” lifestyle, aligning with the modern resurgence of traditional culture.

Conclusion
With intangible heritage techniques at its core, Fujian Jian Zhan Bai Ding Ceramic Studio combines ingenious design and technical innovation to bring a thousand-year-old Jian Zhan culture into modern life, becoming a benchmark brand in contemporary Jian Zhan making. Its works not only preserve the essence of Song Dynasty Jian Zhan but also, through unique visual language and practical functionality, have won the favor of collectors and tea enthusiasts both in China and abroad — making a significant contribution to the inheritance and development of traditional black porcelain culture.