The origins of red under glaze porcelain

Red-glazed porcelain was invented as the result of a happy accident. In the Tang Dynasty (618-907), bronze was widely used in Changsha kilns to make porcelain green, and it was discovered that different firing temperatures made some porcelain red.

Jihong porcelain in the Qing Dynasty

The technique was improved in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), when large quantities of porcelain with red under glaze were produced in Jun kiln in Henan Province. However, the craftsmen's skills were not yet very advanced and there were usually some other colors in the red under glaze.

In the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), craftsmen began to intentionally make porcelain with red under glaze in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, known as the capital of ceramics. In the Yongle Reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the craftsmanship was very much improved, and the red color became more brilliant.

Later, Jihong porcelain began to be produced for sacrificial ceremonies. Ji means to sacrifice and hong means red. Jihong porcelain produced in Jingdezhen surpassed previous porcelain both in luster and in color. Precious gems like coral, agate, jade, pearls, and gold were sometimes added.

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