Chinese Porcelain - A BBC Documentry

#ceramic #kamadogrill #pottery #porcelain

Ceramic, Pottery and Porcelain

Ceramics encompass a captivating realm of objects crafted from clay and hardened through high-temperature firing. This transformative process imbues these creations with remarkable strength, durability, and a timeless appeal. Within the vast ceramic universe reside two prominent members: pottery and porcelain, each boasting unique characteristics and a rich history.This video is an Chinese porcelain introduction made by @BBC

Pottery: The Humble Workhorse

Pottery represents the foundation of ceramics, a time-honored tradition stretching back millennia. Early civilizations discovered the remarkable properties of clay, shaping it into vessels for utilitarian purposes. From storing food and water to cooking meals over open fires, pottery became an indispensable part of daily life.

Made from readily available earthenware clays, pottery is typically fired at lower temperatures. This results in a more porous material, often with a distinctive, earthy aesthetic. The surface texture can range from smooth to slightly rough, and the color palette encompasses natural tones of brown, red, and beige. However, potters ingeniously employ slips and glazes to create a dazzling array of decorative effects.

The beauty of pottery lies not just in its functionality but also in its connection to human history. Each handcrafted piece embodies the ingenuity and artistry of its maker. From simple cooking pots to intricately decorated vases, pottery offers a tangible link to the past, whispering tales of bygone eras.

Porcelain: The Refined Beauty

Porcelain, often referred to as “fine china,” represents the pinnacle of ceramic artistry. Its creation demands meticulous attention to detail, from the selection of high-quality kaolin clays to the meticulous firing process at significantly higher temperatures. This intense heat transforms the clay into a non-porous, vitrified material, resulting in a remarkably smooth, translucent body.

The hallmark of porcelain is its ethereal beauty. It possesses a delicate, almost paper-thin quality, yet boasts surprising strength. The pristine white surface provides a perfect canvas for exquisite artistic expression. From intricate hand-painted designs to vibrant underglaze decorations, porcelain allows artisans to showcase their virtuosity.

Porcelain transcends mere functionality; it is a revered art form. Throughout history, it has been prized by royalty and collectors alike, a symbol of luxury and refinement. Whether adorning a royal table or gracing a museum display case, porcelain continues to captivate with its elegance and artistry.

Accessible Material: Pottery’s affordability makes it an accessible material for kamado grill production. This readily available resource allows for large-scale manufacturing without compromising on quality, while offering a significant cost advantage over porcelain.
Heat Resistance: pottery possesses excellent heat resistance, enabling it to withstand the high temperatures generated during the grilling process. While porcelain also exhibits some degree of heat resistance, it falls short compared to pottery. Utilizing porcelain for kamado grills would necessitate the addition of fluxes during the firing process to lower the firing temperature. This, in turn, increases production costs and potentially compromises the grill’s quality.

Thermal Insulation: pottery boasts remarkable thermal insulation properties, effectively preventing heat loss from the kamado grill. This contributes to enhanced grill efficiency and maintains consistent food temperatures. Porcelain’s thermal insulation capabilities are inferior to pottery, leading to potential heat loss in porcelain-made kamado grills.
Breathability: pottery exhibits a degree of breathability, which facilitates smoke and moisture release during the grilling process. This is crucial for preventing excessive smoke and moisture buildup within the grill. Porcelain’s breathability is less pronounced compared to pottery, potentially leading to increased smoke and moisture accumulation in porcelain-made grills.
Ease of Processing: pottery is generally easier to work with compared to porcelain, making it more suitable for crafting kamado grills of various shapes and sizes. Porcelain’s harder texture poses greater challenges during the shaping process.

[Dolphinfano]

Every part of this world has something unique and wondrous. And its a shame that we don't look at each other the way we do pieces of art---precious.

[loriboufford]

I found this doc extremely educational. Thank you. I was totally unaware of the dramatic life of the blue and white porcelain.

[loriboufford]

I, at one time spent a lot of time around 18th century Chinese porcelain, i wish i would have known this story then. I only could appreciate it for being OLD.

[broadwaybaby]

Thank you for posting this. I saw it when first broadcast and it's the best documentary on the manufacture and transport of Chinese porcelain i've encountered.

[jclark]

I need more intriguing and scholarly content like this in my life.
Something about its gentle intellect is very soothing to follow. ☺️🤓

[leoniewilliamson]

Thank you BBC for a great documentary.

[BlasitoGinawang]

We have porcelain ginger jars dating back from the late Ming and Qing dynasties, here in the Philippine Cordillera we use it to ferment rice wine, so priced in the past till now that a wine so sweet and strong we favor. I have one small jar dating back in around 1850s and still I use it to this day.

But this documentary did show the beauty and complexity of a hand crafted porcelains dating back from around the song dynasty up to the present, the trade and conflict that brought with it.

[saffieification]

i just love the Chinese blue and whites remember my grandmother having a beautiful plate 🥰

[hamiltonpaul]

Great documentary! Thanks for uploading it !

[tracymcgeachie]

Have coveted a piece of Song dynasty porcelain for years. Loved it after watching a programme about it

[marybeasley]

wonderful documentary, unusual for its depth and breadth, a pleasure to watch

[bab]

This Documentary is very well presented, looking forward to more of the same. Thank you so much 👍

[z_htdja]

at least i got another piece of knowledge, priceless it is. Thank you BBC.

[RaymondTVinyl]

Thoroughly Enjoyed this!! Thank you!!

[dr.gaosclassroom]

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful documentary!! The research is thorough and the presentation is great!! Many thanks to the presenter. I admire his endurance through the hard work and compassion for the Chinese labours who did not leave a trace of their lives except the images in the art works!!

[Ciaran]

Thanks so much for this very interesting, hope there's more to come, , from dublin Ireland 🇮🇪

[leoniewilliamson]

The documentary is going back in history to show us how it was done centuries ago. It surely is not being done the same way nowadays.

[oodlepoodles]

That was really good, thank you for uploading 🙂

[nathangrimberg]

Lol the English lady who just slops a bunch of glaze on a column and she’s like “done!”

[miriamtolmer]

Brilliant documentary ... Lars please do more x mimi