The beauty of intangible cultural heritage: Hand-made porcelain flowers, letting mud and fire bloom into everlasting flowers
Amid the hustle and bustle of modern life, there's a tranquil beauty emanating from the warmth of artisans' fingertips—that's " hand-pinched porcelain flowers ." This craft, a time-honored intangible cultural heritage , uses clay as paper and fire as a brush to immortalize the beauty and charm of nature's flowers on porcelain.
1. What are hand-pinched porcelain flowers?
Hand-kneaded porcelain flowers are made of high-quality kaolin. Craftsmen hand-sculpt details such as petals, stamens, branches, and leaves, and then go through multiple processes such as drying, bisque firing, glazing, and glaze firing to complete the artistic porcelain decoration technique.
Unlike mold pressing, each petal of hand-kneaded porcelain flowers is carefully pinched and trimmed by the craftsman, so no two flowers are the same. It is not only a craft, but also a transmission of warmth.
2. Ingenious Process: The Birth of a Flower
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Selecting clay and making molds <br data-start="385" data-end="388">Use fine and dense kaolin, repeatedly wash and knead the clay to make it flexible and smooth, laying the foundation for subsequent shaping.
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Hand shaping <br data-start="442" data-end="445">The craftsman gently pinches the petals with his fingers, and uses small tools such as bamboo strips and carving needles to trim the curves and veins.
This step is the most demanding of skills - if you use the wrong amount of force, the petals may collapse or break. -
Dry naturally <br data-start="526" data-end="529">The pinched flowers need to be dried naturally in a cool place to avoid direct sunlight, which may cause cracking.
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Bisque firing and glazing <br data-start="574" data-end="577">After bisque firing at about 800℃, transparent or colored glaze is applied to give the porcelain flowers a warm luster.
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High-temperature glaze firing <br data-start="624" data-end="627">The porcelain flowers are shaped in a kiln fire at 1300℃, and their color and shape are permanently fixed - the flame makes them immortal.
3. The beauty of porcelain flowers: delicate, dynamic, and timeless
The beauty of hand-made porcelain flowers lies in their combination of realism and spirit. The petals are as light as wings, and the colors are soft and natural. They look like real flowers, but feel like jade when touched.
Whether it is the grace of peony, the elegance of lotus, or the pride of plum blossom, craftsmen can reproduce the aura of nature in a small space.
It is not only a work of art, but also a symbol of "prosperity and prosperity" and "peace every year" in traditional Chinese culture.
IV. Inheritance from the Palace to the People
The art of hand-pinching porcelain flowers can be traced back to the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen during the Qing Dynasty, where they were often used in palace furnishings and porcelain sculpture decoration. Over time, this skill has gradually spread to the general public, being passed down through the generations by a growing number of artists through innovative forms.
Today, intangible cultural heritage craftsmen have incorporated modern aesthetics into traditional works - porcelain flowers are used in tea sets, incense holders, jewelry, ornaments, home decorations, etc., which not only retain the ancient charm but also bring new vitality.
5. One pinch, one flower blooms; one art, one craftsmanship
Every hand-kneaded porcelain flower is the crystallization of time and effort.
Its flowering period comes from fire; its life is solidified in porcelain.
In this impetuous world, it reminds us: only by slowing down can beauty truly blossom.
Conclusion <br data-start="1122" data-end="1125">The intangible cultural heritage of hand-pinched porcelain flowers is not only the quintessence of Chinese porcelain art, but also a continuation of the spirit of craftsmanship. Using the most ancient techniques, they create a gentle and timeless expression, allowing traditional art to continue to shine in the new era.
- Brewin Teaware
