Chinese Ceramics - Reaching Distant Lands (USC Pacific Asia Museum)

A worker digs clay in the Gaoling Mountains of southeastern China. A woman and child pack clay in barrels to keep it moist.

[click on images for larger view]
Images Copyright October 10, 2001 by The Kelton Foundation.

To the left of center, a potter shapes a small bowl on a potters wheel. Overhead, bowls air dry, while another man carries dried bowls away on a rack. Behind him, glaze is being mixed in large vats.

In a peaceful pavilion by a mountain lake, craftsmen paint patterns on porcelain as more vessels are being delivered for decoration. In the background, a large vase—perhaps a special order?—is being painted.

Workers stack bowls and other vessels and carry them to be glazed. Behind the man carrying the bowls in the panniers over his shoulder are stacks and stacks of bowls. In the background, a kiln belches smoke.

Images Copyright October 10, 2001 by The Kelton Foundation.
[click on images for larger view]

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Section 2:

Reaching
Distant Lands

Mr. Yi: First workmen dig the clay. Some of the very finest clay comes from the Gaoling Mountains in the southeast, a very scenic part of China. Everyone helps: A woman and a child pack clay in barrels so it can be carried to the ceramic works.

After the clay is specially treated with secret ingredients....

Mr. Peters: What secret ingredients?

Mr. Yi: You know I can't tell you that, Mr. Peters. Now, as I was saying, once the clay has been specially prepared, the potter can begin his work. See the potter shaping the bowl on the potter's wheel? He shapes the bowl with his hands and turns the wheel with his foot.

Mr. Peters: Did he make all of those bowls drying overhead and those bowls that the workman is carrying away? Is that all he does—shape the bowls?

Mr. Yi: Yes, that is all he does. He studied for many years with a master craftsman, and now he is a master himself.

Mr. Peters: Doesn't he get bored? Our potters make most of a whole beer mug or vase or bowl from start to finish—starting with a lump of clay and working on each step until it has been fired. But look how many pieces your workman can make—and how fine the quality is. We have much to learn from you.

Mr. Yi: Yes, I am sure there is much we have to learn from you also. Now here, in a peaceful pavilion by a mountain lake, craftsmen paint patterns on porcelain as a workman delivers more vessels for decoration. And finally, after the porcelain has been painted, glazed, and fired in the kilns, the finished pieces are packed in barrels to be shipped to Canton, to Japan, even to your home in England.

Now, you can see how many pieces are made-see the stacks and stacks of bowls? This is what they look like after they come out of the kiln. When they are fired, they are separated by clay dividers so they won't stick together. As you know, the kiln fires heat the clay so that it becomes very strong and hard. And see the kilns' burning fires? When there is a big order to be filled, the fires of the kilns burn day and night.