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Long before TikTok trends and viral unboxing videos, there was Jingdezhen—the Chinese ceramic hub that sparked a global obsession for porcelain . Ceramics historian Teresa Canepa reveals how this riverside city became the \"Silicon Valley of craftsmanship\" in the 16th century, connecting continents through its iconic blue-and-white designs.
Why did European royals pay fortunes for these delicate pieces? \"It was the ultimate flex,\" says Canepa. \"Imagine rocking up to a banquet with Ming Dynasty tableware—it screamed power and sophistication.\" From Manila to Marseille, Jingdezhen’s kilns fueled trade networks that predated modern globalization by centuries.
Fun fact: The town’s secret recipe—kaolin clay—was so prized that French chemists spent decades trying to replicate it. Spoiler: They finally cracked it in 1709, birthing Europe’s porcelain industry .
Today, Jingdezhen remains a pilgrimage site for artists and #CeramicTok creators blending ancient techniques with modern aesthetics. As Canepa puts it: \"Every coffee mug on your shelf owes a nod to this 1,700-year-old legacy.\"
. Ceramics historian Teresa Canepa reveals how this riverside city became the \"Silicon Valley of craftsmanship\" in the 16th century, connecting continents through its iconic blue-and-white designs.
Why did European royals pay fortunes for these delicate pieces? \"It was the ultimate flex,\" says Canepa. \"Imagine rocking up to a banquet with Ming Dynasty tableware—it screamed power and sophistication.\" From Manila to Marseille, Jingdezhen’s kilns fueled trade networks that predated modern globalization by centuries.
Fun fact: The town’s secret recipe—kaolin clay—was so prized that French chemists spent decades trying to replicate it. Spoiler: They finally cracked it in 1709, birthing Europe’s porcelain industry 
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