Introduction to Tangshan Bone China
Tangshan is truly the northern porcelain capital of China. Research on bone china began in 1964 and was successful by 1973. Tangshan bone porcelain is recognized worldwide as the highest-grade type of porcelain. The production of bone china in this region was a Chinese first, filling the gap in high-end porcelain production in China and ushering in a new era for the development of bone china in the country. Bone china produced here is mainly exported to countries such as the UK, the USA, and Australia.
Research History
In the 1950s and 1960s, the ceramic industry in Tangshan made remarkable progress, drawing national attention. In 1965, the Tangshan Ceramic Industry Company was reorganized into the Hebei Province Ceramic Company, overseeing the province's ceramic industry. That year, the First Tangshan Porcelain Factory embarked on a research project to develop bone china.
The factory's director at the time was Mr. Cui Jinxiang, a staunch advocate and leader in the development of bone china. The specific research work was led by engineer Tan Zhenling of the First Tangshan Porcelain Factory, with the participation of Wang Qingxiang and others. At the time, the researchers knew only that bone china contained bone components but had no other information or references. Previously, the Tangshan Ceramic Research Institute had conducted similar experiments using fish bones, but these were unsuccessful.
Unfortunately, just as the research started, the Cultural Revolution interrupted the project for the first time.
In 1971, conditions improved. Under the leadership of engineer Tan Zhenling, engineers Li Hongkai and Hao Duiting restarted the exploration and development of bone china. After repeated trials in selecting bone materials and improving the process, they gradually mastered techniques such as two-firing, high-temperature biscuit firing, low-temperature glaze firing, using shaped kiln furniture to control product deformation, and polishing the porcelain body. Finally, in 1974, they successfully produced bone china samples. Domestic experts evaluated the results and confirmed they met the standards of bone china. Thus, after starting from scratch and going through numerous trials over a decade, in 1975, the first bone china product in China, primarily made from animal bone ash and with a greenish fluorescence, was created. Although its quality was unstable, it was still exciting enough to be called “Green Jade” bone china.
Shortly after its creation, the Tangshan earthquake occurred, forcing the second interruption of bone china research. Sadly, engineer Tan Zhenling, the pioneer of bone china research in China, lost his life in the earthquake.
However, neither human disasters nor natural calamities could stop the progress of the ceramic industry in Tangshan. In 1978, research and testing of bone china resumed at the First Tangshan Porcelain Factory. By 1980, the development of white genuine bone china became a key scientific research project of the State Science and Technology Commission, the Light Industry Ministry, and the Hebei Province. A team composed of engineer Li Hongkai, technician Lin Tieliang, Jin Xiuping, and engineers Wang Shuying and Wang Heqin from the Tangshan Ceramic Research Institute worked together on the project. After further research into color-changing mechanisms and screening nearly a hundred formulas, white bone china was successfully produced in 1982. In July, experts from the State Science and Technology Commission, the Light Industry Ministry, and various parts of the country gathered in Tangshan to conduct a departmental evaluation of the new bone china achievements. After careful deliberation by experts and scholars, Tangshan bone china passed the evaluation and won the National New Product Award. Thus, Tangshan bone china was born.
Product Characteristics
The advantages of Tangshan bone china are its light, fine, hard texture, resistance to wear and breakage. Under light, it appears crystal clear, white, and translucent, with a natural creamy white color unique to bone ash. The distinctive features of bone china include high whiteness, good transparency, soft luster, and excellent decorative effects, as well as a particularly pleasant sound. Brands such as Jiulan, Sibode, Longda, Haiglei, Red Rose, and Tangren Cidian are the main export and domestic brands of Chinese bone china, known for their world-class product quality.
It is a soft-paste porcelain, using animal bone ash, often from premium cattle, which is de-greased, washed, and calcined at high temperatures. It then undergoes biscuit firing and glaze firing, incorporating many special processes. Therefore, bone china has a delicate texture, glossy glaze, and a soft luster like jade. Its crystal-clear and smooth glaze surface gives it a luxurious appearance.
Historical Folklore
The development of Tangshan bone china has been rapid. From its start in 1965, in just four decades, it has garnered global attention. Bone china products produced in Tangshan are gradually being sold around the world, receiving widespread popularity. Below, we will explore the history of Tangshan bone china:
1. In 1965, Tangshan initiated a research project in China to develop bone china;
2. After ten years of repeated research and failures, bone china samples were successfully produced in 1974. Domestic experts evaluated the results and confirmed they met the standards of bone china;
3. In 1975, Tangshan produced the first bone china product in China, primarily made from animal bone ash. This bone china had a greenish fluorescence;
4. In 1976, the Tangshan earthquake occurred! Bone china research was interrupted for the second time;
5. In 1978, research and testing of bone china resumed in Tangshan;
6. In 1980, the development of white genuine bone china became a key scientific research project of the State Science and Technology Commission, the Light Industry Ministry, and the Hebei Province;
7. In 1982, milky white bone china was successfully produced in Tangshan. In July, experts from the State Science and Technology Commission, the Light Industry Ministry, and various parts of the country gathered in Tangshan to conduct a departmental evaluation of the new bone china achievements. After careful deliberation by experts and scholars, Tangshan bone china passed the evaluation and won the National New Product Award. Thus, Tangshan bone china was born;
8. Starting in 1983, Tangshan established specialized workshops for the intermediate-scale production of bone china (due to ongoing research and development of bone china technology, equipment had not yet been standardized, the process needed improvement, management regulations and operating procedures were incomplete, and breakage rates were often above 50%. Production costs were too high, prices were too expensive, and while the products were excellent, there were no buyers);
9. At the end of 1987, the Tangshan bone china renovation and expansion project was listed as a key light industry project of the Seventh Five-Year Plan of the state. The state required that the new Tangshan bone china production line be built as a model for the Chinese bone china industry;
10. On August 16, 1991, China's first most advanced annual production line for 5 million pieces of high-end bone china was successfully test-produced ahead of schedule in Tangshan. Tangshan bone china ended the history of Chinese porcelain not entering the international high-end market, marking a “breakthrough from zero”;
11. On February 24, 1992, the evening news on CCTV announced to the nation the comprehensive assessment result of Tangshan-produced bone china reaching Grade A level. In the nationwide lead-free and cadmium-free indicator inspections, the quality ranked first. Tangshan bone china was the only product to receive praise;
12. Since then, thousands of domestic and foreign customers have flocked to Tangshan for bone china. Airlines, government agencies, including Zhongnanhai, all came to purchase Tangshan bone china;
13. In 1997, when Hong Kong returned to China, the Hong Kong SAR government chose Tangshan bone china for official residence use;
14. In 1999, Tangshan bone china was selected for use during the 50th anniversary celebration of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Tiananmen Square and for use by central leaders in Zhongnanhai;
14. In 2001, Tangshan bone china was chosen for use at the Shanghai APEC meeting to host heads of state;
15. In September