Firing Technique
The traditional firing technique of Longquan celadon was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in September 2009. The process of making Longquan celadon involves selecting, roasting, crushing, washing, pressing, aging, kneading, shaping, drying, trimming, decorating, bisque firing, glazing, packing into saggars, loading into the kiln, and firing, encompassing a series of over ten steps and operational techniques. Here are several key stages:
1. Ingredient Mixing
This initial step involves selecting suitable raw materials according to the product requirements and blending them in specific proportions.
4. Decoration
Based on design requirements, decorative techniques such as carving, incising, and imprinting are applied to the clay body, showcasing a unique artistic style.
7. Packing into boxes
The bisque-fired clay body is placed into a box to prevent contamination or damage during the glaze firing process.
2. Shaping
The mixed clay is shaped into various forms using techniques such as throwing and molding. This stage requires the ceramic artist to possess advanced skills and extensive experience.
5. Glazing
The glaze color of Longquan celadon is a distinctive feature, and the glazing process is exceptionally complex, involving steps such as dipping, soaking, brushing, and spraying. Precise control of glaze composition and application thickness is crucial to achieve the desired glaze color in the final fired product.
3. Trimming
The formed clay body undergoes meticulous trimming to ensure a more regular and smooth appearance.
6. Bisque Firing
The glazed clay body undergoes bisque firing, aiming to enhance the hardness of the body in preparation for subsequent glaze firing. The bisque firing temperature is generally around 800 degrees.
8. Loading into Kiln and Firing
The saggar-packed clay body is placed into the kiln for glaze firing. The glaze firing temperature for Longquan celadon is controlled between 1200 to 1300 degrees. Precise regulation of the kiln's atmosphere and temperature curve is essential to ensure the final product meets ideal quality and glaze color expectations.
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