The process of making Jian ware is an important expression of traditional Chinese culture, which not only showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient Chinese craftsmanship, but also contains profound cultural connotations and aesthetic tastes. The process of making Jian ware mainly includes the following steps: preparation of raw materials, body making, firing process, and glaze coating decoration.
Material preparation:
The main raw materials for Jianzhan are clay and glaze. Clay is usually selected for its high iron content, which has good plasticity and heat resistance and is suitable for making Jianzhan.
The glaze is often made from natural mineral raw materials such as grass ash and iron ore. These raw materials are ground, washed, and aged before being used for glazing.
Body preparation:
The prepared clay is kneaded into a uniform state, then shaped by hand using the technique of hand-building. Hand-building requires skilled craftsmanship to ensure that the body is of uniform thickness and shape.
The shaped body needs to be trimmed and polished to ensure that it meets the design requirements.
Firing process:
Firing is a crucial step in the process of making Jianzhan. Jianzhan needs to be fired at high temperatures, usually between 1000°C and 1300°C.
During firing, the body undergoes a process of body transformation and contraction, while the glaze undergoes a chemical reaction to form unique glaze colors and patterns.
Glaze decoration:
The glaze colors of Jianzhan are varied, including rabbit hair spots, oil droplet spots, and partridge spots, etc. The thickness and evenness of the glaze layer need to be controlled during glazing to avoid affecting the final effect of Jianzhan.
Decoration methods are diverse, and Jianzhan can be enhanced in artistic value and visual appeal through techniques such as carving, painting, and sticking flowers.
Cooling and packaging:
After firing, Jianzhan needs to be naturally cooled in the kiln to fix its shape and color. After cooling, the Jianzhan needs to be trimmed and packaged for transportation and display.
In summary, the process of making Jianzhan is a complex and delicate one, requiring craftsmen to have high skills and rich experience. Each Jianzhan is a unique work of art, carrying the essence of traditional Chinese craftsmanship and the cultural connotation.
A perfect blend of traditional art and skilled craftsmanship.
