Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Porcelain Production System

Timeline

1. 1368–1398Zhushan, Jingdezhen · JiangxiThe Ming founder established an imperial porcelain works on the basis of the Yuan Fuliang Porcelain Bureau, conscripting craftsmen and centrally managing body and glaze materials and tribute firing, establishing the framework of the Ming-Qing imperial kiln system.
2. 1391–1400Jingdezhen Imperial Porcelain Works · JiangxiIn the later Hongwu period, imperial kiln output increased and body-glaze formulas stabilized; during the Jianwen era, Yuan blue-and-white techniques continued and underglaze red was explored, preparing technical and artisan resources for the expansion of the Yongle official kiln.
3. 1403–1424Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Works · JiangxiThe Yongle reign expanded the imperial kiln and dispatched additional kiln supervisors; blue-and-white used imported Sumali cobalt, reaching new heights of scale and quality; some products were exported with Zheng He's fleets.
4. 1426–1435Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Works · JiangxiThe Xuande official kiln was renowned for blue-and-white, red glaze and doucai; its strict division of labor (painting the body, glazing, loading the kiln, etc.) became a technical model for later imperial kilns and a benchmark for global collections.
5. 1644Jingdezhen · JiangxiThe Qing imperial kiln works reached new heights under Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong; after the late-Qing official kiln reform, Jingdezhen remained a major world porcelain capital, with imperial kiln techniques continuing through archaeological excavation and intangible cultural heritage transmission.