The Handmade Journey: How Jingdezhen Ceramic Cups Are Crafted
In the heart of Jiangxi province lies Jingdezhen, a city often hailed as the "Porcelain Capital of the World." With over a thousand years of ceramic history, Jingdezhen has been the beating heart of China’s porcelain craftsmanship since the Song dynasty. Today, its reputation continues to shine — especially through the meticulous process of making handmade ceramic cups.
These cups are not just functional items; they are vessels of culture, artistry, and time-honored techniques. Let’s walk through the fascinating journey of how a handmade Jingdezhen ceramic cup comes to life.
1. Clay Selection & Preparation
Every masterpiece begins with the right materials. The primary clay used in Jingdezhen is called kaolin, a high-quality white clay native to the region. This clay is known for its purity, plasticity, and ability to withstand high firing temperatures.
The clay is first refined through repeated filtering and aging. This process removes impurities and allows the clay to develop the right consistency for shaping.
2. Shaping on the Potter’s Wheel
Once the clay is ready, skilled artisans shape it by hand using a traditional potter’s wheel. This stage requires years of practice — every movement of the hand must be deliberate and fluid to form the cup’s perfect silhouette.
In some cases, molds may be used for basic shaping, but hand-throwing remains the preferred technique for high-end and unique pieces.
3. Trimming & Drying
After the initial shaping, the cup is left to dry to a leather-hard state. At this stage, artisans carefully trim and refine the form using carving tools, smoothing out edges and defining the cup’s profile.
The drying process must be slow and even, typically taking several days. Sudden changes in humidity or temperature can cause cracks or warping.
4. First Firing (Bisque Firing)
Once dried, the cup is placed in a kiln for its first firing, also known as bisque firing. This firing reaches about 800–1000°C and helps harden the clay, making it easier to handle during glazing.
This step transforms the clay into a porous ceramic, which is ready to absorb the glaze.
5. Glazing
Glazing is both an art and a science in Jingdezhen. Artisans dip, brush, or spray glaze onto the bisqued cups, creating a surface that, once fired again, becomes glass-like.
The glaze recipes are often family or studio secrets, and some include rare local minerals that give Jingdezhen porcelain its signature translucency and softness.
6. Second Firing (Glaze Firing)
The glazed cups return to the kiln for a second firing, typically at temperatures around 1300°C. This is where the magic happens: the glaze melts and fuses to the ceramic body, creating a smooth, shiny, and durable finish.
The high temperature also vitrifies the porcelain, giving it its characteristic strength and delicate, translucent beauty.
7. Decoration (Optional)
Some cups are then hand-painted with traditional Chinese motifs such as landscapes, calligraphy, or symbolic patterns. These artworks are often applied using cobalt blue (for blue-and-white porcelain) or other mineral pigments.
If decoration is added, a third low-temperature firing may be required to seal the paint without damaging the glaze.
8. Final Inspection & Finishing
Each cup undergoes strict quality control. Artisans inspect for imperfections, polish the base, and sometimes sand or grind any rough edges. Only those that meet the highest standards are packaged for sale — ready to bring a touch of Jingdezhen artistry to tea tables around the world.
More Than a Cup
A Jingdezhen ceramic cup is more than a drinking vessel. It carries the legacy of generations of craftsmanship, the soul of its maker, and the cultural richness of one of China’s most celebrated artisan cities.
Whether you're sipping tea alone or serving guests, each handmade cup invites you to slow down and appreciate beauty — one mindful moment at a time.