Number One Yixing Factory facts for kids

Yixing Factory Number One is the oldest teapot factory in China. It is famous for making beautiful teapots from special Yixing clay. Skilled artists work here, setting very high standards for their creations.

A Look Back: The Factory's History

The story of Yixing Factory Number One began in 1918. Back then, it was called the Jiangsu Provincial Ceramics Factory. Its main goal was to make pottery using the unique Yixing clay. By 1932, over 600 talented craftspeople were working in Yixing.

Challenges and Rebuilding

During the Japanese invasion, many artists had to leave their homes. Sadly, some of them passed away. After the war, China's government helped industries like pottery start up again. In 1954, 59 potters formed a special group. They focused on making Zisha (purple clay) pottery. This group received support from a pottery co-operative.

The government officially opened Factory No. 1 in April 1958. Before this, there wasn't a clear system for ranking artists. Potters learned by doing everything themselves. They would dig the clay, mix it, and then take classes and tests. It took about three years of training to move up. Each step required a test to earn a new title. Artists started as an 'Assistant Master Craftsman'. Then they could become a 'Master Craftsman', 'Senior Master Craftsman', and finally a 'National Master Craftsman'. Their most famous product was always their handcrafted teapots.

Changes During the Cultural Revolution

Starting in 1966, a period called the Cultural Revolution began in China. During this time, Factory No. 1 started making many simple, everyday pots. These pots were known as shui ping hu. Instead of the artist's name, the pots had characters that meant "Yixing."

The factory walls were covered with red slogans. These slogans said that art should be for everyone, not just for showing off. Some people felt the quality of these pots was not as good as before. However, many collectors still value these simple pots today. They appreciate their basic design and good quality.

New Ranks and Modern Artistry

After the Cultural Revolution ended, new ranks for artists were created in the 1970s. These included:

• Technician (Xing-siu)
• Craftsman (Jishuyuan or Gongyi meishuyuan)
• Craftsman (Minjian yiren) – these were independent potters
• Assistant Master craftsman (Zhuli gongyishi)
• Master craftsman (Gongyishi)
• Senior Master craftsman (Gaoji gongyishi)
• Provincial Grandmaster
• Grandmaster craftsman.

Today, the teapots made at the factory are very creative and varied. Artists have started signing their work again. Their unique creations are in very high demand. Sometimes, you might have to wait up to two years for a teapot made by a master artist!

Famous Artists from the Factory

Many talented artists have worked at Yixing Factory Number One.

• Gu Jingzhou was one of the factory's founders. He was also the Deputy Director of Research and Technology. He was a very skilled master artist. Some of his teapots have sold for as much as $2 million US dollars!
• Jiang Rong was a Grand Master. Her teapots often looked like things found in nature.
• Ren Ganting (1889-1968) was an amazing artist who could use both hands. He also created natural forms in his work. He even attended a special convention for national heroes.
• Pei Shimin (1892-1979) started making teapots when he was just 14 years old.
• Zhu Kexin (1904-1986) began making teapots before the war. He worked at the Jiangsu factory when he was young. He has received many awards for his work.

Other Yixing Factories

Yixing Factory No. 2 was started in 1984. It was founded by two brothers, Xu Siew Tang and Xu Han Tang. Both were master craftsmen themselves. They were able to convince some skilled artists from Factory No. 1 to join them.