Page 11 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (103)

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The art of pottery: from

earth to fire Famous pottery genres of Yunnan

始于土，成于火 云南名陶

The process of pottery making is intricate and refined, gen- Jianshui purple pottery, recognized as one
erally divided into several key steps: of China’s four renowned pottery styles, is dis-
tinguished by its unique craftsmanship, which
includes a carving and filling technique, as
well as a decorative style known for its “broken
strokes.” This pottery has become highly sought
after by scholars and connoisseurs alike. In
February 2008, the firing technique for Jianshui
purple pottery was included in the second list of
China’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Clay Preparation: High-quality clay is selected and then sub-
jected to processes such as sifting, washing, and aging to achieve
optimal plasticity and adhesion. Nixi Black Pottery is commonly used by
residents in Shangri-La, located in the Diqing
Zang Autonomous Prefecture. This type of
Making Pottery Clay: The black pottery features a minimalist design,
prepared clay is mixed with highlighting the beauty of simplicity in its
water and kneaded repeatedly form. In June 2008, the firing technique for
until a uniform, fine texture is Nixi black pottery was included in the second
achieved. list of China’s representative intangible cultur-
al heritage.

Dai slow-wheel pottery is a prominent ex-
ample of primitive pottery in China. Beyond
everyday utensils, Dai pottery is also used in
Forming the Shape: architectural decorations for Buddhist temples
Artisans use various and in offerings. In June 2006, the technique
t e c h n i q u e s su c h a s of making Dai slow-wheel pottery was includ-
hand-throwing, pinching, ed in the first list of China’s representative
molding, or wheel-throw- intangible cultural heritage.
ing to give the clay its
initial shape.
Huaning glazed pottery is made from a
unique high-quality white clay found in Hua-
ning County, Yuxi City. The glazes produced
Decoration and Carving: vary in color, with hues resembling pure gold
Using tools instead of pens, and emerald, earning it the title of the “living
artisans carve vibrant pat- fossil” of ancient Chinese pottery.
terns and designs onto the
pottery, imbuing each piece
with unique cultural signifi- Lincang pottery, a traditional handmade
cance and aesthetic value. craft originating from Wanyao Village in Lin-
cang City, has been passed down for over 300
years. This earthenware comes in a variety of
forms and features floral, dragon, and phoenix
Firing: The shaped and decorated pottery is patterns embedded in its outer walls, making it
placed in a kiln, where high temperatures trans- both rustic and practical.
form the clay into hard, durable pottery.

Zhenyuan black pottery, made from
high-quality black clay (ant nest soil) native to
Zhenyuan County in Pu’er, possesses a unique
texture described as “as thin as paper, as shiny
as lacquer, producing sounds like chimes,
and as hard as porcelain.” In 2009, Zhenyuan
black pottery was included in the second list
of Yunnan’s intangible cultural heritage.

Baoshan Jinji pottery involves 13 distinct
production steps. Archaeological fragments
unearthed from the Neolithic site at Jiangtai
Sanding and Polishing: Once fired, the pottery undergoes Temple in Jinji Township, Longyang District,
meticulous sanding and polishing to achieve a smooth, refined Baoshan City, date the history of Jinji pottery
surface, presenting the final, perfect form. back more than 4,000 years.