Linglong Porcelain

Linglong porcelain (“rice grain porcelain”) features delicate pierced patterns filled with transparent glaze, creating a lace-like effect that transmits light. The technique combines镂雕 craftsmanship with precise釉料 (glaze) application, resulting in ceramics that appear to glow when backlit.

Jingdezhen Legacy
One of景德镇’s “Four Great Porcelains,” linglong production began in the Song Dynasty but matured during the Ming永乐 (Yongle) period (1403–1424). Its development was linked to imperial demand for translucent screen-like partitions in palace architecture.

Craftsmanship Challenges

1. Piercing over 1000 “rice grain” holes per square inch without breaking the thin porcelain
2. Filling voids with special high-transparency glaze that matches the body’s shrinkage rate
3. Double-firing at 1280°C requiring precise temperature control

Modern Revival
Contemporary master Ye Xiaochun spent five years recreating the lost Song Dynasty ice crackle linglong technique, earning a national patent in 2004. His works, like the Beijing 2022 Olympic medal design, demonstrate how this ancient technique continues to symbolize Chinese innovation.