Doing Business
Chen Xiao, a municipal inheritor of the Guilin glazed pottery firing technique, a prized form of regional intangible cultural heritage, revealed that the pottery unearthed at the Zengpiyan Site (a Paleolithic archaeological site in Guilin) shows people in Guilin mastered pottery-making over 10,000 years ago.
Guilin's kiln industry has thrived throughout history: The Guizhou Kiln (Song Dynasty, 960-1279) produced daily utensils, Buddha statues and building materials, while the East Kiln's tableware was exported to Southeast Asia via water routes. Its products even served as national diplomatic gifts in modern times.
Chen strictly follows traditional craftsmanship. He uses locally sourced clay that is rich in iron and weak in alkaline, and unprocessed minerals like feldspar, quartz and agate to make raw glaze. The 12-stage reducing flame firing process simulates ancient wood-fired kilns at 1,250 degrees, restoring the jade-like, ice-clear texture of Song Dynasty porcelain.
His landscape cups, made with Guilin clay and water from the Lijiang River, uniquely embody local scenery. No two pieces are identical, earning global popularity and a place in the 2024 China Gift Industry Promotion Program. With a 60 percent firing success rate and intricate pre-firing procedures, the wares are extremely precious.
Rooted in cultural integration since the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC), the craft has evolved with over 100 practitioners blending tradition with innovation. Chen plans to build a public kiln, inviting global artists to co-create and write a new chapter for Guilin glazed pottery.
