Wanyu Porcelain: A Bridge Between Heritage and Modernity
1. Brand Origins & Founder's Vision
Wanyu Porcelain (宛玉) was founded in 2013 in Jingdezhen, China’s “Porcelain Capital,” by Jiang Xin, a third-generation ceramic artisan and graduate of the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute and Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Born into a family deeply rooted in traditional ceramics, Jiang Xin sought to revive Ming and Qing dynasty craftsmanship while reinterpreting it through a contemporary lens. Her mission: to create objects that honor historical aesthetics yet resonate with modern lifestyles.
2. Core Philosophy: "Silent Refinement"
Wanyu’s design ethos centers on “quietude”—a concept blending Eastern serenity with Western minimalism. Each piece embodies a meditative balance between form and function, where simplicity masks profound technical mastery. The brand name “Wanyu” (宛玉, meaning “resembling jade”) reflects its pursuit of porcelain’s jade-like purity, a metaphor for both material perfection and spiritual harmony.
3. Technical Mastery & Innovation
• Historical Replication: Wanyu’s “Unnamed Series” meticulously replicates imperial kiln techniques, such as the iconic blue-and-white (qinghua) ware of the Ming Chenghua era (1465–1487). For example, their 2022 “Autumn Hollyhock” tea set faithfully reproduces the 1.41 billion HKD Ming dynasty auctioned original, using 15-year-experienced artisans for hand-painted cobalt oxide motifs.
• Material Science: Utilizing rare raw materials like Mashang clay and equality blue pigment, Wanyu’s workshops achieve the translucent “sweet white glaze” synonymous with imperial porcelain. Each piece undergoes 72-step quality control, including wood-fired kilns at 1,300°C for unmatched durability and chromatic depth.
4. Product Lines: Where Tradition Meets Utility
• Tea Culture Collections: From Chenghua-style chrysanthemum cups to Yongle-inspired lotus-petal teapots, Wanyu reimagines classical forms for contemporary tea rituals. Notable is the “Three Lions Playing with a Ball” series, featuring gold-leaf detailing on ruby-red glaze—a tribute to Kangxi-era enamelware.
• Lifestyle Objects: Expanding beyond tableware, Wanyu’s 2023 “Flickering Light” ceramic incense holders fuse Song dynasty candleholders with botanical aromatherapy, such as the “Pine Forest Glow” diffuser blending agarwood and amber essences.
5. Cultural Dialogue & Global Recognition
Wanyu actively bridges Eastern heritage and Western aesthetics. Collaborations with institutions like Sotheby’s and exhibitions in Shanghai (e.g., “Great Craftsmen Unnamed” in 2020) position it as a cultural ambassador. Its works have garnered accolades including the China Craft “Zhixin Award” and recognition from collectors who value both antique and modern porcelain.
6. Sustainability & Ethical Craftsmanship
Adhering to Jingdezhen’s 1,700-year-old artisan traditions, Wanyu partners with local workshops to preserve endangered techniques like ice-crackle glazing and qinghua拓染 (ink-rubbing). Each piece is marked with the artisan’s seal, ensuring traceability and supporting rural craftsmanship revival.
Conclusion
Wanyu Porcelain transcends mere objects; it is a narrative of time-honored skill, poetic minimalism, and cross-cultural resonance. By marrying the rigor of archaeology with the fluidity of modern design, Jiang Xin’s creations invite global audiences to experience China’s ceramic legacy not as relics, but as living art—quietly profound, eternally relevant.