The term “Langyao” is linked to the accomplishments of Lang Tingji, who served as the governor of Jiangxi province and supervised the imperial kilns from 1705 to 1712, gaining recognition for his role in reviving copper-red glazes.
Langyao glaze, a stunning vitreous red glaze, resulted from innovative efforts at the Jingdezhen imperial kilns during the Kangxi period under the skilled guidance of Lang Tingji. During this era, potters embarked on a challenging quest to recreate the allure of monochrome red porcelain from the Ming dynasty, particularly the celebrated pieces from the Xuande period.
This unique copper glaze transforms into a rich red hue when fired in a reducing or oxygen-deprived environment. Occasionally, it drips down the vessel during the firing process, creating captivating droplets around the base. Achieving the desired red color necessitates a specific glaze thickness, with areas featuring thinner coatings appearing lighter or white.
Copper-red glazes experienced a significant revival during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor after a period of neglect lasting two centuries. While mastery of monochrome copper-red porcelains was achieved during the Yongle and Xuande reigns, challenges are evident in the numerous discarded pottery fragments at Jingdezhen kiln sites. Even highly skilled imperial potters from that era faced difficulties in achieving satisfactory results, leading to a near abandonment of the use of copper pigment after the Xuande reign. This remarkable glaze, also known as “sang-de-boeuf” or “ox-blood,” took shape under Lang Tingji’s guidance. The term “langyao” is thought to have originated from his name.
Under Lang Tingji’s leadership, imperial potters embarked on a mission to rediscover the lost formula of the early Ming period and perfected the creation of deep and even copper-red glazes, such as those we see today. This glaze was also skillfully manipulated to produce the delicate mottled glazes of ‘peachbloom’ wares.
The primary challenge with all these glazes lies in the volatile nature of copper. Firing a copper-based glaze to achieve a pure red finish is exceptionally difficult. Throughout history, the success rate for wares with copper-red glazes has remained quite low, a challenge that continues to be a significant aspect of this art form.
