| Description |
The firing of Longquan celadon is a traditional skill based on raw materials that exist in Longquan City (located in Zhejiang Province, China): burnt petuntse, violet-golden clay, limestone, quartz and others. For many centuries, at first these raw materials were compounded in proportion, and then moulded by hand, finally high fired at temperatures around 1310ºC. The process results in the celadon that Longquan became known for. The methods were handed down by families. |
| Social and cultural significance |
In the history of Chinese porcelain, celadon was the first porcelain produced, and its traditional firing technology has a history of over 1,700 years, beginning in the 3rd century. More than 600 ancient kiln sites have been identified in China. Longquan celadon during its history became the recognized symbol of Chinese porcelain, and through commercial trading and cultural exchanges large quantities of it were exported to many countries around the world.
Longquan celadon contains no harmful substances like lead or cadmium, so it makes a suitable household china. Celadon is both a craft and an art form, and fine quality.
Longquan celadon and masterworks are treasured by museums and collectors. The leaders of the Chinese government regard Longquan celadon as a valuable Chinese item for presents to foreign dignitaries and friends. |
| Transmission method |
The production of celadon is largely a family-centered industry because the methods were handed down by families and one in which family members play a key role in many small business enterprises. In Longquan city there are nearly 130 celadon companies and two thousand employees. There are 4 celadon master artists recognized at the national level, 8 master artists known at the provincial level, and 32 accomplished celadon craftsmen.
The Celadon Industry Union takes responsibility for protecting the traditional firing technology of celadon. The Celadon Museum is the center for the collection of celadon works and the presentation of celadon technology. The “Zeng Qin Ji Ancient Kiln” is a workshop in Shangyang Township, the only wood-firing kiln in Longquan. Xu Chaoxing and Mao Zhengcong are examples of celadon master artists and work to reform key procedures of celadon making. Recently, modern celadon artists have invented technologies that combine the methods of the Ge (“elder brother”) Kiln with the Di (“younger brother”) Kiln and that control cracking.
The Celadon Industry Union and the celadon artists are cooperating with local government to build Celadon Cultural Park, which will include the Longquan Temple commemorating the original founder of celadon production, a presentation area for Longquan celadon techniques, and studios of master celadon artists. In addition, local governments and the central government will give life achievement awards to master celadon artists. Other important support has come from the publication of books about celadon production. Two that have already appeared are Ge Kiln and Di Kiln and The Study of Longquan Celadon. Both the citizens of Longquan and the artists and craftspeople consider the traditional firing technology of Longquan celadon as an intangible cultural heritage that must be preserved and flower. |
| Community |
All the townships and streets in the territory of Longquan City. Longquan Chongqing Museum, Longquan Celadon Trades Society, Zeng Qin Ancient Kiln in Shangyang Township (representative inheriting base at the provincial level), Xu Zhaoxing (representative inheritor at the state level), and Mao Zhengcong (representative inheritor at the provincial level), etc. |
| Type of UNESCO List |
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity |
| Incribed year in UNESCO List |
2009 |
