Reviving the Palace Kiln of the Forbidden City – Li-Ling Color Enamel Porcelain

By analyzing the development of Chinese handicraft, one can gain an understanding of how art can produce national identities. This paper focuses on the historical development of color enamel, examines the process of its production, and explores the key factors that have made color enamel porcelain the most precious type of Chinese ceramics. Color enamel is a technique in Chinese porcelain production that was primarily used for the court during Chinese imperial dynasties. This skill flourished while Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong emperors were in reign. Color enamel was art that was only produced in the royal palace and stopped in early 1900’s due to its high cost of production. With the support from Chinese government, the town of Li-Ling revived the art of color enamel and has now become a pioneer in preserving traditional Chinese handcraft.