Dragon kiln of Song Dynasty to be put into operation

By Diao Shujun ( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2012-07-25

The renovation of the Song dynasty Dragon kiln in Jingdezhen will start on August 8 and the kiln will be put into operation in October during the Porcelain Expo.

The classic kilns in Jingdezhen include the Dragon kiln of Song Dynasty, Dome kiln of Yuan Dynasty, Gourd kiln of Ming Dynasty and Town kiln of Qing Dynasty. First appearing in the Warring States Period, the Dragon kiln is a semi continuous ceramics kiln which is built on a slope of a certain degree and named by its dragon shape. As the porcelain industry and kiln techniques developed, the Dragon kiln of the Song Dynasty reached its perfection in length and gradient.

Experts believe that the remains of the ancient Dragon kiln can help protect intangible porcelain cultural heritage based on its design.

Ceramics experts said that the Dragon kiln can warm and cool porcelains quickly and it is said to be the cradle of celadon. The misty blue and black-glazed porcelain are also produced in the Dragon kiln.

In 2009, Jingdezhen restored the town kiln of the Qing Dynasty. The Gourd kiln of Ming dynasty and Dome kiln of Yuan dynasty were also restored in 2012 and 2011 respectively.

Jingdezhen is a world porcelain capital with a history of over 1,700 years in making porcelain. From Yuan to Qing dynasty, the royal kilns in Jingdezhen assembled the best materials as well as had the best craftsmen to produce porcelain of the highest level.

Edited by Zhao Qian and Emily Cheng