Forming

A graduate of the prestigious Hangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Xu Linfeng has had a workshop in Jingdezhen since 2004. He is now making blue & white ware inspired by Chinese folk kilns.

Li Jia Cheng is a Jingdezhen thrower specializing in teaware.

Known for his expressive and innovative throwing techniques, here Takeshi Yasuda demonstrates how he makes small cups.

Much of the ware in Jingdezhen is now formed by jiggering. Here, Chen Shan Zhen demonstrates how quickly teacups can be made.

While throwing is a fast and fairly imprecise art, trimming is slower and defines the final form of the ware.  Here we see a craftsperson trimming high-end porcelain dishes, spending more time than usual on each piece to ensure the perfect shape, lightness, and consistency.

Wu Quan Fa demonstrates how medium-sized vases are first trimmed and then dry-joined.

Sharpening trimming tools is a craft of its own with many different techniques. Here we see a basic sharpening procedure for trimming tools.

Yu Hua demonstrates the precise and refined trimming techniques required for making teaware.

A famous technique in Jingdezhen, dry-joining is largely unknown in the West. here we see handles and spouts being joined to teapots.

Wu Quan Fa demonstrates how medium-sized vases are first trimmed and then dry-joined.

Zhang Chun Gen demonstrates rolling out medium-sized porcelain tiles. These tiles are unique in that the clay is 绞胎, a mixture of two differently colored marbled porcelain.