First Wood-Fired Cups · By Li Guowen
$81.59
Place of Origin: China
Handcrafted by Li Guowen (Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor of Longquan Celadon, Master of Arts and Crafts)
Hand-carved. One of a kind. Signed collector’s certificate included.
What Is Wood Firing Longquan Celadon?
Wood firing is the traditional way of Longquan celadon — a craft passed down for a thousand years. Pine wood feeds the kiln; temperatures reach over 1300°C. A single firing takes three days and three nights, with artisans keeping watch in turns, all by experience.
The glaze: Ash from the burning pine settles on the vessels, fusing with the glaze. This creates the signature ash-settling, flame marks, and kiln-change. The glaze is quiet and rustic — carrying the warmth of the fire.
No two are alike: Inside the kiln, the fire moves unpredictably. Each vessel receives its own heat, its own ash, its own flame.
The survival rate is low: The success rate can be as low as 30% or less. But every successful piece is stunning — and carries greater value.
Firing is not at will: Today, wood-firing requires formal application and follows a fixed schedule. A successful firing is a meeting of skill, weather, and timing.