Jingdezhen Porcelain – History, Technology, and Lead- & Cadmium-Free Quality

Jingdezhen Porcelain – History, Technology, and Lead- & Cadmium-Free Quality ///

Jingdezhen (景德镇), often called the “Porcelain Capital of China,” has a history of producing world-renowned porcelain for over a thousand years. From the Song Dynasty to modern times, artisans in Jingdezhen have perfected techniques that combine artistry with advanced material science. Over the centuries, the technology evolved from wood-fired kilns to highly controlled gas and electric kilns, enabling more consistent high-temperature firing and safer, more durable porcelain.

Today, we proudly offer only lead- and cadmium-free porcelain, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern health and safety standards.

Firing Process and Porcelain Quality

Jingdezhen porcelain typically undergoes multiple firing stages:

1. Biscuit Firing (Initial Firing, 初烧 / chū shāo)
   • Temperature: approx. 800–900 °C
   • Purpose: Hardening the clay before glazing.
2. Glaze Firing (釉烧 / yòu shāo)
   • Temperature: approx. 1280–1350 °C
   • Kiln type: Traditionally wood or dragon kiln (龙窑 / lóng yáo), now mostly gas or electric kiln.
   • Outcome: Provides transparency, hardness, and a durable glaze.
3. Overglaze Firing (彩烧 / cǎi shāo) – for decorated porcelain
   • Temperature: approx. 750–900 °C
   • Purpose: Apply colors or enamel decoration onto the piece.

Lead- and Cadmium-Free Glazes

All our Jingdezhen porcelain is free of lead and cadmium.

• Glazes are based on feldspar, quartz, and kaolin, not lead oxide.
• High firing temperatures fully vitrify all components, leaving no soluble heavy metals.
• Result: food-safe, hygienic, and long-lasting porcelain.

Genuine Jingdezhen tea bowls, gaiwans, or teapots produced with traditional high-temperature methods are therefore completely safe and lead-free.

Raw Glaze Technique

Some pieces, such as our gaiwans, feature a raw glaze:

• Contains unmelted mineral raw materials (feldspar, quartz, kaolin, metal oxides) applied directly to the bisque-fired or raw shards.
• During firing, the minerals melt into glass, creating a smooth, durable surface.
• The color and texture depend on the reducing or oxidizing atmosphere of the kiln.

Summary

Conclusion: With a history of centuries of innovation, Jingdezhen porcelain combines artistic tradition with modern technology, producing high-fired, lead- and cadmium-free, food-safe porcelain that is both beautiful and safe to use.