An Exploration of Shiwan Dragon Kiln Protection

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1008-018X.2011.04.012

Abstract：Shiwan started to use dragon kilns to fire pottery in the Song Dynasty, and it formed into large-scale, specialized production in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and finally became a famous Southern Pottery Capital. Along with the changes of times and production methods, dragon kilns were decli- ning and now there are only three dragon kilns left. Dragon kilns have high scientific, historical and ar- tistic values~ they are of great importance to carry forward dragon kiln techniques, to disseminate Fos- han~s pottery culture. Dragon kilns are now faced with many problems such as failure to meet modern production requirements, loss of dragon kiln techniques, difficulty in finding firing materials and hidden surrounding environment problems. To protect dragon kilns, it is necessary to develop color-glazed dragon kiln products, increase the utilization rate of dragon kilns by separating the whole production process into different sections and contracting o,,t each section, establish a management body to take the charge of protection of dragon kilns, and use a variety of ways to make this precious ＂living heritage＂ last forever.