Chinese porcelain — “white gold” in Europe — transformed global trade and created one of the most enduring luxury goods in history.
What Makes It Special
True porcelain requires petunse (feldspar stone) and kaolin clay fired at 1,300°C+. Europeans spent centuries failing to replicate it.
Jingdezhen
The porcelain capital of Jiangxi province has produced imperial-quality ceramics since the Han Dynasty. The town made exclusively for Ming and Qing courts.
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Famous Types
Celadon (青瓷): Sea-green glaze from iron oxide.
Blue and White (青花瓷): Cobalt blue on white glaze — Yuan Dynasty classic.
Famille Rose (粉彩): Pastel overglaze enamels — Qing Dynasty innovation.
Explore more in our Chinese Culture Complete Guide.
