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The city of Longchuan organized on Wednesday, December 26, 1990 is located in a basin area of Southwest region of Zhejiang Province with population of 260,000. The access to the city requires about 7 hours from Wenzhou by car and the nearest railway station is Lisui from which to Longchuan is approximately 130 km. There is no airport built yet. The exact age of early Longchuan celadon porcelain production is not known, however, in the year of 420 (Nanchao period), some of the oldest celadon porcelains were already excavated. The early celadon porcelains were produced in years during 420~920 and the most prosperous period was approximately 200 years between 1015 and 1315. (In the Beisong Era, there were 49 producers with 137 porcelain kilns which were increased to 260 kilns by the Nansong Era). In the Beisong Era, the coating was thin, but thicker coating and thinner clay were used in the Nansong Era. In the Yuan Era (1280~1368), carving became more delicate and the number of kilns were increased. Although during the Era of Mingchao, new techniques on carving and coating were developed, the productions were gradually decreased in the Era of Qingchao (1644~1911). |
1) | 420~919 A.D. (Anno Domini): Early stage of Longchuan celadon porcelain. |
2) | 982 A.D. (Anno Domini): In the beginning, Song Taisong sent a supervisor for Longchuan porcelain production and later, "Chao Renqi" took position of chief supervisor. |
3) | 1015~1315: The period was the most prosperous era of Longchuan celadon porcelain and the products were widely sold not only in domestic market but also for export and became well known porcelain in the world. You may remember that in 1976, when searching a sunk ancient ship in Korean Shin'an sea region, more than 10,000 porcelains of the Song Era among which more than a half were Longchuan Celadon porcelains were discovered. |
4) | 1635: In the middle era of Mingchao, there was a period that the continuation of Longchuan celadon porcelain production was feared due to the disturbance of war, political corruption and high taxes. |
5) | 1957: In June, The First Government owned "Longchuan Ceramic Ware Plant" was established. In July, Prime Minister "Zhou En Lai" ordered production recovery of Longchuan celadon porcelains |
6) | 1959: In October, the new born Longchuan ceramic wares were produced and shipped on the 10th anniversary of National Foundation. In December, the Longchuan Celadon Porcelain Union was established. At that time, there were eight (8) masters of the porcelain. |
7) | 1966~1970: The production and research of celadon porcelain were suspended due to domestic political disturbance. (Approximately 3 months) |
8) | 1971: The production was restored to present a work to the President of the United States, Mr. Nixon for China-U.S. friendship |
9) | 1973: Started modernization of hydroelectric power plants. |
10) | 1975: "Institute of Longchuan Porcelain" was established. |
11) | 1977: The production entirely recovered. In 1979, the porcelains were displayed in exhibition sites of 11 countries including France. In August, Mr. Li Huai De (Master of the Art) was interviewed by Government's very important persons including Mr. Deng Xiao Ping, Mr. Ye Jian Ying, Mr. Li Xian Nian. |
12) | 1980: In September, Grand Master Xu Chao Xing took office of "Institute of Longchuan Celadon Porcelain" until 1988. |
13) | 1982: The Grand Master buckled himself to produce a large vase (1.3 m in diameter) which is to be displayed in the Beijing Renmin Dahui Tang (People's great hall). In July, a 52 cm ornamental plate produced by Master Li Huai De and Grand Master Xu Chao Xing was approved as a modern national treasure. |
14) | 1983: 155 Longchuan celadon porcelains were displayed in the Philippine International Exhibition. |
15) | 1984: The porcelains were exhibited in the Hong Kong Ceramic Art Show. In June, Deputy Plant Manager of Longchuan Ceramic Ware Plant and Engineer Liu Zhang Sheng and other members visited Japan. |
16) | 1985: The Longchuan Ceramic Ware Plant became a private corporation from Government owned firm. A 61 cm ornamental plate was displayed in the 4th Asia-Pacific Exhibition. In September, 5 Japanese ceramic artists visited Longchuan (lead by Mr. Nakajima). |
17) | 1986: In April, 5 delegation members of Japan Idemitsu Art Museum visited Longchuan. The head of the delegation was a emeritus professor of Tokyo University. Other members were included the Director of Idemitsu Art Museum, a professor of Kyoto University, an expert of ceramic wares and an archaeologist of ceramic wares. |
18) | 1988: In January, the Chinese Government announced that the Longchuan Celadon Porcelain will be preponderantly protected as nation's important cultural property. In May, a delegation from Japanese department stores "Takashimaya" and "Matsuya" visited Longchuan and bought Longchuan celadon porcelains for general customers in Japan. In November, the plant manager of the Longchuan Ceramic Ware Plant and a secretary visited Japan. |
19) | 1989: In May, an exhibition for the Longchuan celadon porcelain was held in Hawaii, U.S.A. On November 15, 34 members of Japan Ceramic Artist Group visited Longchuan. (lead by Mr. Aoki, Shigeo, a ceramic art critic). |
20) | 1990: Longchuan acknowledged as one of the nation's five great porcelain kilns. On December 25, Longchuan became a city. |
21) | 1992: Due to an abuse of the economy opening policy, many important Longchuan antiques were drained and the control was confused. Many plants were opened and a number of imitation porcelains were circulated in the market. In July, the Conference of Zhejiang Ceramic Industry was held in the city of Longchuan. |
22) | 1996: In December, The Ceramic Art Craftsman's Union and Longchuan Art Ceramic Union with more than 550 persons were bankrupted and gave an uproar in the industry. |
23) |
1997: Funds and measures were presented from central and local governments to protect the Longchuan celadon porcelains. On September 28, Mr. Xu Chao Xing received an approval of Grand Master for Chinese Artistic Handicraft and interviewed by the government's VIP, Mr. Li Peng. In October, a sheet of commemorative stamps of Longchuan celadon porcelain including four stamps of Longchuan kilns and celadon porcelains was issued for sale. |
24) | 1998:In June, a Longchuan handicraft artist, Mao Zheng Cong departed to Taiwan for intellectual exchange. In August, The Longchuan Celadon Porcelain Control Committee was established. |
| P.S. | Acknowledgment: The above information has been collected and approved under the cooperation of Mr. Jiang Jing Ming, Director of Culture Bureau of Longchuan city, Director of Celadon Porcelain Museum and Grand Master Xu Chao Xing. I express my sincere gratitude for their kind cooperation. | |||
April, 2000 |
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