THE CELADON MASTER: Mr. Mao Zhengcong

Since last century when the Chinese government began awarding the title of China Art & Craft Master (similar to the Japanese Living National Treasure) to craftsmen, 3 ceramists who specialized in Longquan celadon have been honored thus far (through 2008). In January 2007, Mr. Mao Zhengcong was added to this extremely distinguished list. Mao is the second celadon ceramists (together with Mr. Xiaho Wen) to reach this summit. He is the first generation celadon ceramist since People of The Republic of China established in 1949.

Mao Zhengcong was born in 1940 at Longquan City of Zhejiang Province. He started the potter career since his teenage as the worker in State-owned celadon factory. In 1996 Mao built his workshop and kiln after his retirement from the Director to Celadon Research Institution of Longquan.

Mao Zhengcong's celadon artworks not only exhibit a natural, decent and classic sense of style, his many experiences in plum-green glazes and bluish glazes have produced new and unique celadon glazes that are authentically Mao Zhengcong's. Moreover Mao is the only Guan kiln 'Purple-Mouth-Iron-Foot' type apprentice that recognized by the authority in Chinese State Department.

During Mao's work in the state-owned factory his celadon artworks were appreciated by collectors in Asia already. A number of prestige persons such as Mr. Deng Xiaoping, Mrs. Margaret Thacher and Dr. Henry A. Kissinger also praised Mao's celadon as the Chinese culture treasure in early 90'. Due to the recognition from international society Mao was assigned to produce the state gift for the government since 1992. His stunning artworks also collected and exhibited by Palace Museum in Beijing, Chinese Art & Craft Museum and Celadon Museum of Longquan City to name a few.

As today Mao Zhengcong is still an active ceramist who keep propelling the art of celadon into new heights.

LONGQUAN CELADON GUAN KILN WARE IN BRONZE FORM WITH HANDLES

Mao Zhengcong (1940 – present) was name a China Art & Craft Master in 2007. Part of his illustrious achievement is for the classic Guan ware-like, for crackle-glazed ceramics of widely varying color and texture.

The identification of Ge and Guan ware has been widely debated in China. Some maintain that Ge was a variant of Guan ware without the royal perfection. In addition to the glaze tone and texture, experts point to specific differences in body composition, potting and numbers of glaze layers. From Mao Zhengcong’s view, Guan ware was given unique disposition by the royal ceramists. To reproduce the Guan ware celadon from Longquan kiln is the life-time goal of Mao from very beginning.

The CELADON GUAN KILN BOWL IN BRONZE FORM WITH HANDLES is an exquisite celadon ware with crackled glaze all over it inside and out. Crackle, a network of irregular cracks in the glaze caused by a disagreement in the rate of shrinkage between body and glaze during cooling. From the Song Dynasty and onward crackles seems to have been intentionally produced as decoration. The appearance could be stained with soot or other pigment being rubbed into the cracks. Crackle decoration is to be found on Song Dynasty wares such as Guan and Ge. The crackle of fine brownish lines and thicker transparent lines is called ‘Gold Thread and Silver Wire’. The transparent cracks will keep growing after manufacture on a very slow pace for many years.

The most impressive nature of crackled glazing is its uniqueness. No two of the textures can be the same. That was why the State Department of China used this style from Mao’s workshop as state gift. Each celadon ware was noted with serial number and only the president level that was qualified the state gift.

In order to create the jade-like impression the celadon ceramist has to repeat the glazing for several layers. Thicker glaze creates the greater visual effect but on the other hand, the difficulty to manage the glazes presentation multiples.

Mao Zhengcong is the guru in making such artwork. This is a stunning example of Mao’s artwork, a very large CELADON GUAN KILN BOWL IN BRONZE FORM WITH HANDLES that is simply magical. Jade-like, the celadon glazing is extremely thick and prismatic. It is in perfect condition and Mao’s signature on base with certificate signed and original wooden box form his workshop.

Year of Completion: 2005

Diameter: 18.5cm

Height: 11.5cm