When 48 glaze test tiles shattered in his kiln during his 103rd trial, ceramic artist Li Yanxun didn’t see failure. Instead, he saw a breakthrough that would revolutionize the ancient art of Tang Sancai pottery.
Li’s journey began when his young daughter handed him a fragment of mineral with a captivating willow-green hue. Inspired, he embarked on a quest to resurrect the lost color spectrum of the Tang Dynasty’s famed ceramics.
In 2019, Li challenged centuries-old traditions. He raised kiln temperatures by 300 degrees Celsius, transforming the fragile, lead-based glazes of ancient Tang Sancai into sturdy porcelain bodies. This bold move turned delicate artifacts into durable creations suitable for modern use, like countertops and light fixtures.
One of his most significant achievements was solving the “pink problem.” Traditionally, achieving a vibrant carmine hue in ceramics required gold, making it costly and rare. Li ingeniously substituted rare earth elements to achieve the same rich color, making it more accessible.
Through relentless experimentation and innovation, Li Yanxun has rewritten the genetic code of Tang Sancai. By blending ancient techniques with modern technology, he’s ensuring that this historic art form not only survives but thrives in the contemporary world.
“I wanted to bridge the past and the present,” Li said. “By reinventing Tang Sancai, we can keep our heritage alive while embracing the future.”
