CONTEMPORARY CELADON GUAN WARE GURU: Mr. Mao Zhengcong

Since last century when the Chinese government began awarding the title of China Arts & Crafts Master (similar to the Japanese Living National Treasure) to craftsmen, 3 ceramists who specialized in Longquan celadon have been honored thus far (through June 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 ceramist 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 Council.

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.


ABOUT THE DARK STONEWARE LONGQUAN CELADON GUAN WARE BOWL IN BRONZE FORM

Uniqueness:

1. Mr. Mao Zhengcong is the only person in past 50 years who recovered the glazing prescription and presented the ancient Guan Ware via modern techniques.

2. The bowl used the dark, iron-rich body clays that are typical of ancient Guan Ware.

3. The bowl shows Guan Ware’s crackle of fine brownish lines and thicker transparent lines is called ‘gold thread and silver wire’. The brownish color came from the clay not stained with soot or other pigments to enhance it color effect.

4. The body stoneware after firing has the appearance of a famous visual effect called ‘purple mouth and iron foot’, where traces of the dark body cause interesting effects at mouth and foot.


Completed Time: Setpember 2005

Mouth Rim: 13cm

Height: 9cm