The journey of our porcelain: when the east meets the west.  

Jingdezhen has has been producing porcelain for over 2200 years. It is known as the ‘porcelain capital’ for the highest quality porcelain and porcelain making techniques.  

Jingdezhen 景德镇 pronounced: 'Jing-deh-jen' is known as the land of the finest porcelain.  Located in China's central east, is a bustling city enriched in porcelain history.  It is known as the ‘porcelain capital’ for a good reason: it is geolocated in an area that produces the finest porcelain to date, as well as intergenerational porcelain making for over 2200 years.

The unique geography of the area provides pure kaolin and China stone - the essential ingredients for porcelain making – in such close proximity. Up until 960AD, Jingdezhen was called Zhengzong. It was only until this period, that we started to see the famous blue and white porcelain known today. The emperor Zhao Huan ordered the city to produce porcelain for the imperial family, with the character “made in Jing De period” on the bottom. As this porcelain become well known, later changed the name of the city to Jingdezhen. 

(left) Kaolin in rock form.    (center) Qingbai "Blueish-white" glazed bowl with carved peony designs. Southern Song Period 1127–1279. Displayed in Shanghai Museum.    (right) Famille-Rose decorated ‘Boys’ vase. Qianlong Period 1736–1795. Sold for $12 million AUD via Sotheby’s (April 2015).

In the 9th century, Jingdezhen porcelain was being exported in great demand to Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East. Porcelain customised to suit the Middle Eastern kings included large plates with Islamic motifs. 

Porcelain vessel decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with Islamic motifs. Wanli Period 1572-1620. C. Amir Mohtashemi ltd. Gallery.

The porcelain of Jingdezhen has been distributed all over the world – gifts to the French King Louis XVI – who had a marvelous Chinese collection, some now fetching over half a million to $40 million. 

(left) Bowl, cover and mount a fashionable item during Louis XV and Louis XVI reigns, 1715-92. C. British Museum.    (center) Dish with the arms of France (Louis XV) painted on Jingdezhen porcelain. Circa 1730. C. G. Boudic - Museum of the Compagnie des Indes - City of Lorient.    (right)  Selection of vases from Private Collection.  Qing Dynasty 1644-1911.

"Jingdezhen porcelain is a masterpiece of human creativity, combining both artistic and scientific achievements."
-Jean-Paul Desroches, former curator at the Musée Guimet in Paris.

This small city has shaped the world in the making of porcelain, and we are proud to be apart of it. All our vases are handmade in Jingdezhen, using the local premium porcelain, the ancient techniques combined with contemporary design, delivering a unique collection that now can be yours.

Find our handmade vase collection from Jingdezhen porcelain here.