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After the previous process like clay and glaze, the product still requires going through the step of kilns to transform into ceramic. In general, kilns refer to the thermal equipment for firing products and the temperature can reach around 800°C to 1300°C that depends on different types of kilns. In simple terms, there is some several important process that clay will be experienced during in process of kilns: draining water (排出水份), decomposing organic matter (分解有機物質), the transforming of quartz (石英的轉化), burning out the sulfate and carbon (燒除硫酸和碳), and vitrification (玻璃化).
According to Joseph Needham, kilns are the very last stage of making ceramic that distinguishing the product is clay or ceramic. Besides, this is an irreversible process that transforming the soft and fragile clay into hard ceramics with heat. As a result, ceramic will become a firm material that no longer soluble in water.
To the ceramic makers, kilns are very important to keep the quality and quantity of their products. Therefore, different types of kiln have been developed to produce well-made ceramics in different periods. Here are some examples with a simple introduction:
Kerr, R. & Wood, N. (2004). [Example of up-draught kiln structure]. Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 5, Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Part 12, Ceramic Technology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 293.
Up-draught kiln (升焰窯)
This type of kiln was popular during the middle to Late Neolithic to Shang Dynasty. Up-draught kiln refers to the design of kiln that digs out a firebox below the kiln-chamber and connected them with a Fire-Hole. This type of kilns was relatively easy to build since they are likely located in the section of cliff. The characteristic of this kiln is the advantages of enhancing the heat within the kilns and preventing the loss of heat. Meanwhile, since this type of kiln tends to build in the cliff, it also created the problems that the muddy texture restricted the size of the kilns and they are easier to collapse in a short period.
Dragon kiln (龍窯)
This type of kilns was named as dragon kiln because of the featured appearance. In general, dragon kiln was usually located in the mountain area and built in the slope. Moreover, the dragon kiln could be around 20 to 70 meters with a Long and narrow design. Thus, the dragon kiln looks like a fire dragon dashing down from the mountain while it is operating, and it named “Dragon kiln”. Due to the huge size of dragon kiln and the well us of terrain features, it allows the ceramic producers to maximize the benefits that producing a mass number of ceramics at the same time. Besides, the structure and design of dragon kiln also enhanced heat power with better temperature control. With the dragon kiln, the Chinese ceramic industry had been improved by the huge output and stable firing system. As a result, Chinese ceramic production not only able to serve domestic needs but also output to the other areas or countries.
Figure: example of Dragon kiln structure Source: Read 01
Figure: Picture of Castle Peak Pottery Kiln, Hong Kong Source: RTHK
Do you know...
Do you know...
There is a dragon kiln located in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong that named Castle Peak Pottery Kiln. The kiln was constructed in the 1940s and mainly for producing civil ceramics like wine jars, cricket pots, urinals, piggy banks, and water pipes, etc. Until the 1970s, the kiln also used for making ceramic art pieces by the local artists. In the end, the kiln was closed in 1982 because of the competition in other regions. However, the kiln is still well-preserved in the original place and graded as Grade III historic buildings in Hong Kong.
Figure: View of the Castle Peak Dragon kiln Source: RTHK
Figure:The inside view of the Castle Peak Dragon kiln Source: RTHK
《香港青山龍窯 － 陶瓷燒製篇 》
《香港青山龍窯 － 陶瓷燒製篇 》
〈Hong Kong Castle Peak Dragon Kiln〉
〈Hong Kong Castle Peak Dragon Kiln〉
This is an animation provided by Hong Kong Dragon Kiln Concern Group (香港龍窯關注組) that briefly introduced how kilns work and the Castle Peak Dragon kiln. Please click the link down below and enjoy it!
The Hong Kong Dragon Kiln Concern Group is a civil organization dedicated to conserving and revitalizing the Castle Peak Pottery Kiln. If you are interested in the kiln, please feel free to check them on Facebook since they have lots of valuable information and photos about the kiln: https://www.facebook.com/hkdragonkiln
Reference:Kerr, R. & Wood, N. (2004). Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 5, Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Part 12, Ceramic Technology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 283-378.
Liao, C., Y. (2019). Chai Shao Zhi Mei Yu Jian Zhan Long Yao Shao Zhi Zhi Miao . Oriental Collection, 19, pp. 39-41.
This Week. (2018, April 11). This Week - Castle Peak Dragon Kiln (RTHK31: 10/4/2018). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IosqtpNzGcM.
Read 01 (2018). [Example of Dragon kiln structure]. Yu Xi Yao: Bi Yu Xiao Jia Cui Se Lai . Retrieved March 29, 2020, from https://read01.com/DGM2xNA.html#.XoL8h4gzZPa
Xue, P. (2020). Reference of Development and Evolution of Chinese Ancient Ceramic Kiln. Foshan Ceramics, 01, pp. 10-14.
Liao, C., Y. (2019). Chai Shao Zhi Mei Yu Jian Zhan Long Yao Shao Zhi Zhi Miao . Oriental Collection, 19, pp. 39-41.
This Week. (2018, April 11). This Week - Castle Peak Dragon Kiln (RTHK31: 10/4/2018). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IosqtpNzGcM.
Read 01 (2018). [Example of Dragon kiln structure]. Yu Xi Yao: Bi Yu Xiao Jia Cui Se Lai . Retrieved March 29, 2020, from https://read01.com/DGM2xNA.html#.XoL8h4gzZPa
Xue, P. (2020). Reference of Development and Evolution of Chinese Ancient Ceramic Kiln. Foshan Ceramics, 01, pp. 10-14.
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