Blue Underglaze Ceramics: Quintessential Beauty From Heaven and Earth

If China is famous for Thanh Hoa porcelain, then in Vietnam we have blue glazed ceramics. Blue-glazed ceramics, with products decorated with blue patterns, are an indispensable part of Vietnamese ceramic art. Mainly using cobalt oxide to create color, blue glaze is one of the oldest and most typical glaze lines of Vietnamese ceramics. Blue glazed ceramic products today continue to be produced in famous areas such as Bat Trang, Chu Dau, Mong Cai, Lai Thieu and many other ceramic kilns throughout Vietnam. Let's explore with Chus the sophistication and uniqueness of this glaze line in traditional ceramic art!

Impressive history of blue underglaze ceramic

Bat Trang ceramics village is famous for its history of more than 500 years of development, possessing 5 typical glaze lines: blue, brown, ivory white, moss green and cracked glaze. Each period, Bat Trang ceramics has its own distinct marks, of which blue glaze is the oldest and most popular glaze.

Blue glaze can be considered the eldest child of Bat Trang ceramics, because blue glaze products appeared around the 14th century. Blue glaze has a characteristic blue color, created from a mixture of ceramic glaze and cobalt oxide. The blue enamel painting technique also appeared around the 14th century and was commonly applied in Bat Trang ceramic village.

Techniques for making blue underglaze ceramic

The special feature of Bat Trang blue enamel is that it is not exposed like brown enamel but is covered with a glossy white enamel layer on the outside, creating a shiny and smooth surface. Blue enamel has many shades from lead blue to dark blue to dark blue, bringing diversity and richness to ceramic products. The ingredients to create blue glaze include kaolin, Truong Chac, Ha Trieu and colorful stones that are crushed continuously for 70-80 hours. After going through the firing process at high temperatures from 1200 - 1300 degrees Celsius, blue enamel becomes sturdy, shiny and durable over time.

Next, Bat Trang artisans use brushes to draw on blue glazed ceramic products. The motifs and patterns often chosen are images of landscapes, flowers, dragons and phoenixes,... expressed in a liberal and free way, bearing the mark of Vietnamese culture.

The recipe for preparing blue enamel and the technique of painting blue enamel are the family secrets of Bat Trang artisans. Thanks to being preserved and passed down through many generations, Bat Trang blue enamel always retains its unique and quintessential beauty, contributing to creating the famous Bat Trang ceramic brand throughout five continents.

Unique and safe materials to health 

Different from reef yeast, blue yeast is biological yeast extracted from lactobacillus plantarum bacteria. Blue yeast is not only used to preserve, process and increase the nutritional value of food, especially vegetables, fruits and fish, but is also safe for the health of users.

Blue yeast has the ability to inhibit harmful bacteria, reduce sugar and starch in food, and create antioxidants, vitamins and enzymes that are beneficial to health. Thanks to this, food is preserved better, retaining its natural flavor, color and crispness.

Therefore, blue glazed ceramics are widely used in the production of household items such as cups, bowls, jars for pickles, kimchi, fish sauce, soy sauce, wine, bread, yogurt, cheese, etc.

Outstanding advantages of blue glazed ceramics

Cultural imprint:

Bat Trang blue glazed ceramics make a strong impression with their beauty imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity. Exquisite patterns are hand-painted by talented, experienced artisans, demonstrating the creativity and enthusiasm of skilled workers.

Solemn beauty, nostalgia and spirituality:

Blue enamel has a classic blue color with many different shades, harmoniously combined with the glossy white outer enamel layer to create elegance and sophistication. The patterns on blue enamel are not only beautiful but also have a deep spiritual meaning, symbolizing luck, longevity and eternity.

High quality, safe for users:

Bat Trang blue underglazed ceramics are made from high-quality materials, going through a meticulous process of selecting soil, refining and burning, ensuring durability, good heat resistance, and safety for the health of users.

Diverse designs, colors and reasonable prices:

Bat Trang blue underglazed ceramics have many designs and rich colors, meeting the diverse needs of customers. Reasonable price, suitable for the budget of the majority of consumers.

Conclusion

Blue-underglazed ceramics are not only a precious symbol of Vietnamese culture and art but also an indispensable part of the country's historical and spiritual heritage. Today, blue glazed ceramics are still one of the most popular types of ceramics in the ceramic consumer community. In particular, Bat Trang blue-glazed ceramic products still retain the beauty and spirit of traditional blue-glazed ceramics from ancient times. It is a delicate combination of art and technique, filtered through generations of blue glaze potters.

Hope this article has provided you with useful information. Join CHUS to discover more about the diverse and rich world of blue-glazed ceramics in particular as well as Vietnamese ceramics in general.