Porcelain made by hand,
as it was 1,400 years ago.

For many years, scholars believed that the jiao tai marbling technique evolved from the multi-coloured tixi lacquer tradition. More recent research points instead to a closer connection with marbled glassware produced in the ancient Near East. Archaeological finds spanning regions from Afghanistan to Korea reveal the broad reach of this marbled aesthetic.

By the early 8th century, Tang potters had adapted these older influences into ceramic form, developing what is now recognised as the earliest example of marbled pottery in the world. A major production centre was the Gongxian kiln complex at Huangye, in Gongyi, Henan. Excavations there have uncovered numerous fragments showcasing the vibrant marbling effects achieved by Tang artisans — who created the patterns by twisting and kneading together clays of different colours, then slicing the cane to reveal the marble within.

Marbled ceramics enjoyed great popularity throughout the Tang period, appearing on everything from simple everyday bowls to ornate decorative vases. Their appeal stemmed from their resemblance to natural marble — patterns that suggest movement and depth. The interplay of light and dark tones gave each piece a sense of individuality and vitality, making these ceramics visually captivating works of art.

The Tang jiao tai technique was then lost for over a thousand years. Fragments survived in burial sites and museum collections, but no one in living memory knew how to recreate the marble-through-clay effect. In 1972, master Li Wenxian saw a small Tang fragment in a friend’s house and spent the next fifty years reconstructing the technique. The result is what we now call jiaotai — the same cane-twist, slice, and fire that Tang potters invented 1,400 years ago.