Page 87 - The colours of each piece: production and consumption of Chinese enamelled porcelain, c.1728-c.1780

CHAPTER 2 The Production of Enamelled Porcelain and Knowledge Transfer

Firing Process

After painting, the most important and complex stage in the process of enamelled

porcelain was firing these painted pieces in a muffle kiln, two different kilns were

used in the Chinese enamelled porcelain production, ‘open stove’ (明炉) and ‘closed

stove’(暗炉).

An open stove was used for smaller pieces, with the door of the stove opening

outwards. (Figure 2-11) A charcoal fire having been lit all round, pieces of porcelain

were placed upon an iron wheel, supported upon an iron fork. It is taken out when the

colours appear clear and bright. The closed stove is used for larger pieces. (Figure 2-12)

This stove is about one-meter-high, and about half a meter in diameter. It is

surrounded by a double wall and the charcoal fire is put inside. The porcelain is put

into the interior of the stove. The stoker holds in his hand a circular shield to protect

him the heat of the fire. The stove is covered with a flat slab of yellow clay and the

firing can take up to twenty-four hours.

Figure 2-11 Open stove of firing enamelled porcelain.

71