Introduction to Flambé Glaze

High-fired Color Glazes constitute one of the most prominent genres in the history of ancient Chinese ceramics. Monochrome Celadon Glazes were first found in the Shang Dynasty more than 3000 years ago, and both the Copper-red Jun Ware (Flambé Glaze) of the Northern Song Dynasty and the Tianmu Glaze (Temmoku, which is designated as one of the National Treasures of Japan) were ceramic innovations from more than 1000 years ago.    

 

Blue and White and Famille-Rose porcelain wares created in China are world renowned among connoisseurs and collectors since long. Flambé Glaze wares on the other hand, with their sophisticated and advanced glazing techniques, are hidden gems waiting to be discovered and explored. The unpredictability and streaming nature of Flambé Glaze make it very challenging to apply as a ceramic plaque painting technique. As a result, the number of art pieces created in such a way is very rare and limited, not to mention those of distinctive quality. Ceramic plaques painted with Flambé Glaze techniques are rare finds that carry high artistic values in the eyes of collectors.     

 

Flambé Glaze refers to the spectacular color and texture transformation of ceramic glazes during high firing in kiln, resulting from a chain of natural chemical process. One will no doubt be enchanted by the flamboyant colors and textures on Flambé Glaze ceramic wares. With the wonders created by nature and the artist hand, thus the saying goes “The monotone which goes into kiln, out with a myriad glams”.

 

The beauty and delicacy of Flambé Glaze wares has been keeping this genre at the upper end of ceramic art. The fineness in the glaze and its application technique build an aura for the works, therefore Flambé Glaze is sometimes referred to as “Man-made Gems”. The color manifestation of these works is not under total control of the artist, even for the same glaze combination applied on two different occasions. This technique is based largely on the interplay between the artist’s experience and the natural environment, and the artist develops his skills through considerable length of time by comprehending his own role among nature’s principles.    

 

Flambé Glaze shares similar level of technical sophistication with Tianmu Glaze (Temmoku). The recipes of Flambé Glaze usually consist of crystalline glazes and multiple layers of mineral glazes. During the high firing process of Flambé Glaze, the kiln is set to 1330°C and all the glazes undergo a series of chemical reactions to form astounding flows of colors and textures on the bisque’s surface. It takes a fine balance for this transformation to occur, too thin of the glaze will lead to loss of luster in the finished work, conversely, over-applied glaze may ruin the work as a whole. The art pieces radiate a kaleidoscopic palette, with rhythm and movement which inspire unlimited imagination. This explains the high artistic value of Flambé Glaze art pieces and its comparability to Tianmu Glaze (Temmoku).             

 

 

Descriptions like “among a thousand kilns a single jewel” or “nine kilns out of ten cannot produce satisfying result” are often used to highlight the preciousness of Flambé Glaze wares. Even repeating the same glaze recipe, temperature and location in the kiln, the final glaze effect will vary. The depiction “a Flambé Glaze ware has no parallel” vividly tells the uniqueness and rarity of each Flambé Glaze piece. Artists who work with this advanced and demanding technique have to spend years in sweat and challenges before being able to bring an extraordinary art piece to life. Flambé Glaze ware is certainly a pioneering art trend in the near future of glazed ceramic plaque painting.