Advertising on the portal

Stucco Chinese porcelain. Cold porcelain products


Beautiful tea cups from stucco Chinese porcelain will decorate any table! Behind their amazing beauty and elegance, a centuries-old history of the development of this ancient Chinese art is hidden. Chinese porcelain is famous all over the world as the pinnacle of ceramic craft. No wonder the English word "China" has two meanings - China and porcelain. In this article, you will see skillfully made tea cups, which amaze with their beauty and you can get acquainted with the history of porcelain.

Beautiful tea cups - stucco Chinese porcelain

It is almost impossible to imagine China without a tea ceremony. At the beginning of this ancient tea cups were made of jade. The production of such tea sets was very expensive, and for a long time Chinese potters tried to create a material superior to jade in beauty and practicality. This material was porcelain, which for a long time was called "imitation of jade." It was much more accessible and easy to process, but was as transparent as jade and had similar heat-conducting properties. Until now, a specific date for the invention of porcelain has not been precisely established, but Chinese historians attribute the manufacture of porcelain to the Han era, covering 204 BC. - 222 AD

China's Jiangxi province is considered to be the birthplace of porcelain, where there were large deposits of "porcelain stone" (pe-tung-tse) - a rock containing a lot of quartz and mica. By adding kaolin (white clay) to the powder from this stone, potters gave their own products a white color. It took several decades for this mass to become plastic. Only after that, tea mugs and other utensils made from this clay were sent to kilns, where they were fired at high temperatures and turned into porcelain. It is believed that it was only during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) that Chinese craftsmen were able to achieve the highest skill in the manufacture of porcelain.

The secret of making Chinese porcelain was guarded from outsiders as an important state secret. Europeans first heard about it in the 13th century, when Marco Polo discovered China. For a long time, tea cups and Chinese porcelain sets cost a lot of money and were the most expensive gifts that only kings were awarded. Many European potters and scientists of that time struggled for a long time to unravel the secret of the production of this overseas material, and only in 1709 the German chemist Betger was able to unravel it. This date is considered the beginning of the development of porcelain craft in Europe.

Chinese porcelain and tableware

The Chinese learned how to make porcelain about two thousand years ago. It happened 1-3 centuries AD. The craftsmen noticed that ceramics made from a special clay - kaolin - has amazing properties. It turned out very elegant and thin, durable and translucent. Unfortunately, history has not preserved the name of the first master who succeeded. Probably it was not one person, but a whole artel. By empirically determining the desired ratio of kaolin and other substances, the ancient Chinese received the first porcelain. This event, although not reflected in the official chronicle, seriously influenced further history, changed trade and caused a closer convergence of eastern and western cultures centuries later.

The open material turned out to be so popular that porcelain production began to develop at a rapid pace. All subjects of the empire sought to buy chinaware for their homes. But the Chinese emperors were especially fond of the new invention. Years passed, the rulers succeeded each other on the throne. And each new emperor ordered whole caravans of porcelain dishes for his palace. Then one dynasty succeeded another, and the new owners of China again bought porcelain for the palace, only with their own symbols.

Great mastery was achieved by Chinese painters. Many products of that time, especially those purchased for the palace, are simply amazing. All high-ranking (and not so) officials also considered it their duty to have a lot of porcelain dishes, vases and other items to decorate their homes. Simpler people also bought porcelain items, albeit not as beautiful and expensive. You can even trace how the views, wealth of people and their artistic preferences changed using porcelain as an example.

The conquest of China by the Mongols had the strongest influence on the spread of Chinese porcelain. The Yuan Dynasty, the descendants of the conquerors, fell in love with Chinese porcelain very much. In museums you can see the amazing beauty of the vases that they acquired for their yard. And since their empire extended to central Europe, the fashion for porcelain also came to our region. The caravans that set off along the Great Silk Road and merchant ships of the Europeans carried, among other goods, Chinese porcelain, while steadily paying taxes to the treasury and giving earnings to an entire army of craftsmen. At that time, only the rich could buy porcelain items. Some monarchs even collected collections. Meanwhile, educated Europeans puzzled over the secret of production.

Chinese porcelain of those eras can be seen in many museums around the world and in private collections. This geographical spread gives an idea of ​​the distribution of this material. This is, without exaggeration, the entire civilized world in those distant times.

Without going into details, it can be noted that each dynasty (and there have been five since then) and even each emperor had their own requirements for porcelain vases, and other dishes too. Therefore, collectors and experts can easily distinguish the vases of one dynasty from another, and even the vases of one emperor from another.

It is known that centuries-old attempts to unravel the secret of porcelain production influenced the development of scientific thought. In an attempt to discover the right ratio of substances, scientists of the Middle Ages discovered new properties of materials, thereby moving science forward. In the end, the secret of Chinese porcelain was unraveled by the then young scientist Johann Friedrich Bötger, somewhere at the beginning of the 18th century in Germany, and more precisely in Saxony.

Modern Chinese porcelain continues the traditions of its two-thousand-year history. Now the latest technologies and production methods have come to the aid of centuries-old methods. The possession of a Chinese porcelain service in our time is no longer a sign of belonging to the aristocracy. However, the popularity of Chinese-made porcelain is not waning. Rather, on the contrary, export volumes are growing year by year, more and more middle class people in our country (and not only) prefer Chinese goods.

How nice, when receiving guests, to put on the table a thin translucent service, with a superbly executed elegant pattern on the cups. Today, the decoration of the product is not created in the style of a particular dynasty, but at the artistic discretion of the designer. Therefore, there is no limit to their diversity, and everyone can choose a service to their liking. Drinking tea from a real Chinese porcelain service is an exquisite pastime, worthy of the best houses of Europe in the past - now available to everyone.

Cold porcelain is an affordable, cheap and most malleable material for modeling today. Working with cold porcelain is absolutely safe and does not require any special skills and knowledge; even a small child can engage in such creativity. You can prepare the material at home, that is, you do not need to run around the shops and look for something special to make your dreams come true, the joy of touching art in order to create a unique decoration or piece of furniture with your own hands.

In its appearance, cold porcelain resembles clay or plasticine, but after drying it becomes very hard. When sculpting from it, you can use any type of jewelry, any accessories, from small beads and beads, shells, buttons, twigs or dried flowers, to textiles of any structure - threads or rags left over from knitting, embroidery or tailoring. The surface of the product using the technique of cold porcelain can be painted, sprinkled with small materials (sand, beads), varnished.

The history of the creation of cold porcelain

The history of this material for modeling dates back to the first years of the 19th century, it was at that time that records about it and the first products date back. According to the data, cold porcelain was invented by the Argentines, but there is no exact information about its origin and the history of its invention. There is much more information about the Russian master Ivanov Petr, who worked at the imperial porcelain factory and already at the beginning of the 19th century created unique products from a special type of porcelain. If you believe the archival documents of this St. Petersburg plant, it was Peter Ulyanovich who created the first flowers from cold porcelain. They were intended to decorate perfume bottles and eau de parfum, which was supplied to the emperor and his family.

But there are earlier confirmations of the existence of this material. In Chinese treatises on art and sculpture, there are many descriptions of cold porcelain molding, but it is called differently, but its recipe is absolutely similar to that used by Ivanov Peter.

Features of cold porcelain products

Products made from this material are unusually beautiful, but no less “demanding”. Store or install them away from moisture and direct sunlight. You need to understand that cold porcelain is polymer clay, which is able to absorb moisture and become sour, lose color from exposure to sunlight. Vases with stucco, flowers and other decorations made of cold porcelain should not be placed on a window or near a water source.

In the premises where objects made of this material are located, the optimum temperature regime for them must be observed. If the air is colder than 10º C, then the structure will collapse, as moisture particles in the composition crystallize. High temperatures also destroy cold porcelain - it simply dries out and crumbles.

You can extend the "life" of cold porcelain products with the help of varnish coatings. They not only protect against moisture, but also help maintain the shape, color and gloss of the surface.

What can be created from cold porcelain

Everything can be sculpted from this material - from women's jewelry to small interior items. Hairpins decorated with flowers from this material look very original. For children, together with children, you can make fairy-tale characters, heroes of their favorite cartoons that will decorate their room.

Many creative housewives decorate the pots of indoor plants with cold porcelain stucco, frames, lamps and flowerpots.

Garlands of flowers, greenery, figurines of animals or houses, thematic compositions of cold porcelain will become a unique decoration of the interior. In addition, you can make an original and inexpensive gift for friends or relatives.

How to make cold porcelain at home

Preparing polymer clay for modeling is not difficult. The simplest recipe for cold porcelain is rice or corn starch, PVA glue, glycerin and regular baby cream in a ratio of 1: 1 (a glass of glue and starch) and 2: 1 (tablespoons of glycerin and cream).

Mix the ingredients thoroughly and leave for 10-20 minutes. They will mutually dissolve, and the mass will take on the consistency that is ideal for modeling. In no case should the prepared material be placed in the refrigerator or stored at room temperature for more than 2 hours. You need to sculpt immediately and it is advisable to spend the entire volume of the prepared material.

Some masters add citric acid to the mass. Products made from such porcelain are stored much longer, since the acid creates a conservation effect.

You can find examples of recipes with water content, but such compositions are fragile and not durable. Water, under the influence of external factors, reacts with other ingredients of the polymer clay composition, as a result of which an unpleasant odor may appear, the shape of the product may change, and its strength is significantly reduced.

To change the color, food colorings, chalk are most often used. But the surface of cold porcelain souvenirs can also be painted after it has completely dried, not earlier than a day after the end of modeling.

Cold porcelain is the cheapest, most malleable and affordable material for modeling. It is completely safe to work with him, and it is not at all necessary to have special skills and knowledge - even a small child can do such creativity. You do not need to look in stores for something special to create a unique piece of jewelry or other handicrafts. You can also prepare cold porcelain at home.

In appearance, cold porcelain resembles plasticine or clay, but after complete drying it is an absolutely solid substance. During modeling, you can use any accessories, jewelry, beads, small beads, buttons, branches or dried flowers, as well as fabrics of any structure. The surface of cold porcelain products can be varnished, painted or sprinkled with beads, glitter, sand, etc.


The history of the appearance of cold porcelain

In the early years of the 19th century, the first products made from this material appeared. According to dating records, it became known that Argentines had invented cold porcelain, but there is no exact information about its origin. There is much more information about the Russian master Pyotr Ivanov, who worked at the imperial porcelain factory and at the beginning of the 19th century made unique items from a special class of porcelain. According to the documents of the Petersburg Porcelain Factory, it was he who made the first decorative flowers from cold porcelain, which were intended to decorate special perfume bottles that were supplied to the imperial family.

There are also earlier facts confirming the existence of this material. Chinese treatises on sculpture and art describe many varieties of cold porcelain stucco, but it is called somewhat differently. But still, its recipe is identical to that used by Peter Ivanov.

Products from cold porcelain: features and nuances of use

Incredibly beautiful products are obtained from this material, but at the same time they require the right approach to use. For them, places where there is no direct sunlight and moisture are acceptable. Cold porcelain is the same polymer clay that can absorb moisture, sag and lose its original color when exposed to sunlight.



In rooms that are decorated with objects made of cold porcelain, it is necessary to observe the optimal temperature regime for it. So, if it is less than 10º C, the structure will gradually collapse due to the crystallization of moisture particles that are part of such porcelain. High temperatures are also detrimental - it simply dries up and crumbles. Lacquer coatings will help extend the life of cold porcelain products. They protect against moisture and retain the color, gloss and shape of the surface.



What can be molded from cold porcelain

From this material, you can create anything - from a variety of jewelry for women to cute accessories for the interior:

Many needlewomen decorate pots of indoor plants or create a complete composition with a cold porcelain flower.

Dishes decorated with such stucco will become a real highlight of the kitchen interior.



All kinds of frames, flowerpots, coasters, shades, candlesticks made of cold porcelain will dilute the familiar interior, give it a touch of individuality.



Hairpins, hoops, jewelry and other feminine attributes decorated with cold porcelain flowers look charming.




Thematic compositions made of this material, figurines of animals, houses, garlands of flowers and greenery will certainly become a unique interior decor.


Together with your baby, you can make heroes from your favorite cartoons or fairy-tale characters that will decorate the children's room.




In addition, you can make an amazing gift for dear people.


Cold porcelain: cooking at home

Polymer clay is easy to make. The easiest traditional recipe is corn or rice starch, PVA glue, the most common baby cream and glycerin. The proportions are as follows:

  • 1:1 cup starch and glue;
  • 1:2 tablespoons of cream and glycerin.

Mix the ingredients thoroughly and leave for 15-20 minutes until the mass takes on a consistency ideal for sculpting. It is strictly forbidden to put the prepared mixture in the refrigerator or store it for more than 2 hours at room temperature. It is necessary to sculpt immediately, trying to use all the material.

Some people add citric acid to the mixture, which works on the principle of conservation, which extends the shelf life of products.

There are recipes with the use of water. However, such compositions are short-lived and fragile. Under the influence of external irritants, water reacts with the other components of polymer clay, due to which the shape of the products may change, their strength decreases, and an extraneous unpleasant odor may also appear.

To give a certain color to the product, chalk and food coloring are often used. But even after the end of work and the complete drying of the product (in a day), its surface can also be painted.


Sculpting tools

  • scissors and rolling pin;
  • toothpicks or stacks;
  • wire cutters and tweezers;
  • decorative cosmetics;
  • paints and brushes;
  • wet wipes;
  • cutting board and gloves;
  • glue for mounting and thin wire.

Sakura flower: cold porcelain master class

It is easier for beginner “sculptors” to make flowers from cold porcelain, for example, sakura.

Step 1. Part of the workpiece is left white, and the other part is painted in pale pink. From each we sculpt cubes (future petals). The white bar should be slightly thicker than the tinted one. We connect the blanks along the length and cut into small rectangles.

Step 2. Sculpt the petals. We make their bases pink, the edges white. We glue the PVA petals, and in the middle we make a small hole with a toothpick or a knitting needle, where we will then insert the stem.

Step 3. We attach the finished buds to the leaf-cup with a green base and seat it on a wire stem. Such a branch should turn out like a real sakura, ideally repeating its structure.

Step 4. According to this scheme, we make several branches, leave to dry completely, and then twist them into a single composition using a wire.

Tags: