There's a certain porcelain secret hidden in China, it's a method of making porcelain products whereby there are no images painted on the surface. Rather, beautiful colors and images come out of the glaze itself as it's fired.
So how is this type of porcelain made?
To start, the glaze for transmutation porcelain is special: is it a mixture of a number of metallic elements. Each and every element will change color as the porcelain piece is cooked in the kiln. When the piece is ready to be taken out, the mixture of elements forms an original, unique piece of art.
Throughout antiquity, there are known to have been transmutation designs that looked like actual people!
It's almost impossible to predict the final result: kiln temperature, the quantity of each metallic element in the glaze, and the direction you brush glaze on all contribute to the final design. So no image can ever be made twice.
As a matter of fact, this is exactly why people worldwide love this type of porcelain. After all, when luck herself gives you a piece of art, its best to grab it.
The first man to make a transmutation porcelain piece lived in the Song dynasty almost 1,100 years ago. When he saw the vivid colors, he thought there was black magic afoot and quickly smashed everything!
Nowadays, collectors around the world love this kind of porcelain, and some people pay extreme prices for just one work by a respected potter.
So how is this type of porcelain made?
To start, the glaze for transmutation porcelain is special: is it a mixture of a number of metallic elements. Each and every element will change color as the porcelain piece is cooked in the kiln. When the piece is ready to be taken out, the mixture of elements forms an original, unique piece of art.
Throughout antiquity, there are known to have been transmutation designs that looked like actual people!
It's almost impossible to predict the final result: kiln temperature, the quantity of each metallic element in the glaze, and the direction you brush glaze on all contribute to the final design. So no image can ever be made twice.
As a matter of fact, this is exactly why people worldwide love this type of porcelain. After all, when luck herself gives you a piece of art, its best to grab it.
The first man to make a transmutation porcelain piece lived in the Song dynasty almost 1,100 years ago. When he saw the vivid colors, he thought there was black magic afoot and quickly smashed everything!
Nowadays, collectors around the world love this kind of porcelain, and some people pay extreme prices for just one work by a respected potter.
About the Author:
Author D. Cheng has studied Chinese culture, calligraphy, and arts & crafts such as Chinese porcelain for years. Sometimes, he endorses skilled Chinese craftsmen. Check out some excellent Chinese tea set.
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