Fired at high temperatures, Dong Trieu ceramics retain their natural beauty and boast high durability. With great passion, the artisans of the pottery village continue to keep the kiln fires burning day and night to preserve their traditional heritage.
Dong Trieu Pottery and Ceramics – The Craft of Breathing Soul into Clay in Quang Ninh
Dong Trieu District, located about 60km from Ha Long City, is well known for its pottery and ceramic craft. Compared to Bat Trang, Phu Lam, Kim Lan, and others, Dong Trieu ceramics in Quang Ninh are relatively young in history, yet the local artisans have never ceased to take immense pride in their traditional craft.
Ceramic products. Photo: Tap chi Tai chinh.
In 1955, the pottery craft here began to emerge, with only 2 workshops at that time. For an extended period, the craft declined, and many families had to dismantle their kilns due to the rise of products made from plastic, stainless steel, aluminum, and other materials.
Photo: langmoi.vn.
The earliest products of Dong Trieu pottery were simply decorated bowls and plates or pieces carved with geometric patterns. A few years later, items such as teapots, cups, and jars appeared, shaped using wooden molds influenced by the style of Bat Trang pottery.
Painting patterns on ceramics. Photo: langmoi.vn.
Later on, local pottery adopted slip casting techniques similar to Hai Duong ceramics. Today, Dong Trieu ceramics are present across the country, and pottery making has become the primary livelihood of the local residents.
Pottery kiln. Photo: Bao Quang Ninh.
To produce ceramic pieces meeting high standards of quality and aesthetics, artisans must strictly adhere to the stages of selecting, processing, and mixing clay, shaping, creating decorative patterns, glazing, and finally firing.
Raw products before firing. Photo: Bao Quang Ninh.
Every stage in crafting a ceramic piece is equally important. As a craft village known for high-fire ceramics, the production process of Dong Trieu ceramics mainly consists of manual stages, requiring direct handcrafting.
Highly durable ceramic products. Photo: Bao Quang Ninh.
Therefore, Dong Trieu pottery differs from ceramics manufactured in large industrial factories with modern machinery. This distinction comes with certain limitations but also brings notable advantages—namely, the soul imbued in every product, meticulously crafted by the artisans.
Painting patterns and glazing. Photo: Bao Quang Ninh.
From raw clay materials, artisans must undergo multiple stages of screening and removing impurities to obtain soft, smooth, and pliable clay. If the clay still contains impurities or is not thoroughly refined, the finished piece will fail to achieve the proper structural integrity.
Visitors shopping for ceramics. Photo: VnBusiness.
After preparing the materials, artisans shape soft curves for ceramic pieces on the potter's wheel or meticulously arrange molds. Being handcrafted, producing a single pottery piece takes a substantial amount of time, depending on its shape and size. Then comes the stage of painting patterns on the pieces, depicting landscapes, mountains, and people in a diverse array of motifs.
Photo: Bao Quang Ninh.
The final stage is firing the products at high temperatures, from 1.300 to 1.400 độ C for 4 to 5 hours depending on the item. Because it is high-fire pottery, the kilns here are fueled with firewood. During the firing process, the flames must be regulated so that the tongues of fire reach primarily the front, rear, or middle of the kiln.
Photo: Bao Quang Ninh.
Each type of firewood yields distinct glaze colors because they burn at different temperatures, and the fine ash deposits from the wood also serve as a crucial factor in creating unique accents on the glaze.
High-fire, durable products. Photo: Bao Quang Ninh.
Potters here have dedicated time to researching raw material formulas and kiln designs. Made from carefully selected materials, thoroughly refined clay, and fired at high temperatures, Dong Trieu ceramic products boast exceptional durability and remarkably clear glaze.
The pottery village creates employment for many workers. Photo: Bao Quang Ninh.
The ceramic products are also exported to numerous countries, including South Korea, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, and more, earning high appreciation for both quality and design. Although relatively young, Dong Trieu ceramics hold their own distinct charm, bringing meaningful artistic works to life.
