JINGDEZHEN, Jiangxi - Driving into Jingdezhen, it looks like any other inland Chinese provincial city that has rampantly urbanised: concrete infrastructure and superhighways sprawled against paddy fields and mountains.
But I start noticing lamp posts and road dividers clad in blue-and-white porcelain, which look a little out of place in the grey city, but point to Jingdezhen's past as the world's porcelain capital.
The dusty city in south-eastern Jiangxi province has been producing porcelain wares for more than 2,000 years.
It is surrounded by the Gaoling Mountain range, which is rich in the kaolin clay deposits needed for the finest porcelain.
According to China's imperial records, when Emperor Shizong of Liao (947-951) heard that the kaolin here produced ceramics that was "white like jade, bright as a mirror, thin as paper" and "sounds like a bell", he arranged the Gaoling mines to supply porcelain exclusively to royalty.
Chinese porcelain made its way to Persia around the ninth century. At the same time, Jingdezhen artisans became acquainted with Persian cobalt, which turned a vivid blue when fired under high temperatures.
Esta historia es de la edición November 23, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 23, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Actor Ryan Lian slashed outside shopping centre
Local actor Ryan Lian fears disfigurement after he was attacked outside a shopping centre and suffered facial injuries.
Blue Man Group to end New York run after three decades off-Broadway
NEW YORK - Blue Man Group, the wordless theatrical troupe of drumbeating, paint-splattering, bald blue performers, will end its run in New York on Feb 2, more than three decades and 17,000 performances after it began.
Author Cormac McCarthy had relationship with teen when he was 42: Vanity Fair
On Nov 20, American magazine Vanity Fair published a bombshell article revealing that Cormac McCarthy, one of the United States' most celebrated and enigmatic novelists, had a relationship with a girl he met when he was 42 and she was 16.
Actor Jung Woo-sung may skip film awards after love child revelation
South Korean actor Jung Woo-sung, who was recently revealed to have fathered a child out of wedlock, is reportedly discussing with his agency whether to attend the Blue Dragon Film Awards on Nov. 29.
Imagine Dragons more pensive after six-year absence
Some 10,000 fans attended the concert by the American pop-rock band, who last performed in Singapore in 2018
Team behind Netflix film hopes to spread joy and spark debate on IVF
The makers of a new film about the British pioneers of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) hope it highlights the fragile status of fertility treatment, with perceived threats in places like the United States and dwindling availability in Britain.
Notre-Dame inspired Americans' love and help after fire
Through an avalanche of giving in amounts from US$10 (S$13.50) to US$10 million, Americans have proven their love for Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral, mobilizing to support the rebirth of a monument they hold dear.
Wicked revels in the glory of frenemies
The female frenemy plot takes oft-hidden tensions and makes them larger than life for viewers' enjoyment and catharsis
Shell Out for shellfish
Clams, oysters and scallops are nutrient-packed and an environmental success story
Stomping out plantar warts
I get warts on the bottom of my feet. How can I treat and prevent them?
