“Hi, I’m Zhu Jinze — From the World’s Porcelain Capital”
Hello, my name is Zhu Jinze, and I come from Jingdezhen, a small city in southern China known as the “Porcelain Capital of the World.” This is not only my hometown but also the heart of China’s ceramic heritage. For over a thousand years, the kilns here have never gone cold, and China’s most refined porcelain techniques were born and perfected in this place.
Since the Song Dynasty, Jingdezhen was the official supplier of imperial porcelain. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, its works traveled across oceans to Europe, becoming symbols of cultural exchange. Today, you can see Jingdezhen masterpieces in some of America’s most famous museums: the blue-and-white vases at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, porcelain plates at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and delicate famille rose ceramics at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. For many Americans, “china” itself is synonymous with Chinese porcelain — and that tradition began in my hometown.
I grew up in this history. As a child, I watched my father and grandfather at the potter’s wheel, their hands covered in clay, their eyes full of focus and patience. Now I continue their tradition, but with a new mission: to share the real Jingdezhen with you.
In my studio, every mug, bowl, necklace, bracelet, or decorative piece is thrown by hand, glazed with lead-free colors, and fired in small batches. No two pieces are exactly alike. When you hold one, you’re holding a craft passed down for over a thousand years.
I know many friends in the U.S. are looking for something different from mass-produced goods. That’s why each of my creations comes with an English story card introducing the artisan and the process. These are not just ceramics — they’re bridges between two cultures.
Whether it’s a handcrafted mug for your morning coffee, a serving bowl for your family table, a smooth ceramic necklace or bracelet, or other beloved handmade ceramic pieces, my hope is that every item from my hands carries the warmth, patience, and soul of Jingdezhen’s thousand-year-old tradition into your life.
Thank you for allowing me to bring a piece of my hometown — and my culture — into your home.
— Zhu Jinze
